Kifaru Exim Special Economic Zone launched to support SME integration into Kenya’s manufacturing sector

Kifaru Exim Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a designated area offering a business-friendly environment for import and export-oriented industries, has officially been launched in Kenya.

Located within Tatu City, Kiambu County, the SEZ features nine Grade A warehouses with a total leasable area of 10,165 square meters. Each warehouse offers up to 1,229 square meters of space available on long-term lease at USD 4.5 per square meter per month.

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Kalpesh Shah, Director of Kifaru Exim SEZ, said the development is designed to integrate eligible SMEs into SEZs, enabling them to access fiscal and administrative incentives provided under Kenya’s SEZ framework.

“Our vision is to unlock the manufacturing potential of SMEs in Kenya and ensure their products are competitive in price, quality, timely availability, and consistency compared to imports,” said Mr. Shah. “This initiative aims to promote local production for both domestic and export markets.”

Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary, State Department of Investments, welcomed the project, noting its potential to drive economic growth.

“The specific impacts of the project will include wealth creation, reduced imports, increased exports, reduced counterfeits, enhanced SME revenues and profitability, job creation, and higher government revenues. At full occupancy, we estimate 600 direct jobs and over 1,800 indirect jobs will be created,” he said.

Representing the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), Dr. Kenneth Chelule, CEO, commended the initiative, emphasizing SEZA’s commitment to providing regulatory predictability, industrial infrastructure, and enhanced market access to boost Kenya’s manufacturing competitiveness.

His remarks were echoed by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) CEO, Tobias Alando, who reaffirmed KAM’s role in supporting local manufacturers through policy advocacy, trade facilitation, and investment promotion.

To ensure effective SME participation, Kifaru Exim SEZ has partnered with the SME Support Centre (SSC), a pan-African SME support organization, to help identify and onboard qualifying SMEs in line with SEZA requirements.

Ms. Linda Onyango, CEO of SSC, lauded the development as a milestone in integrating SMEs into SEZs:

“This initiative is a great step forward in empowering SMEs to access structured opportunities within SEZs, enabling them to scale competitively in regional and global markets.”