Governor Evans Kidero permits construction of Sh20 billion Chinese company complex in Nairobi

NAIROBI: A Chinese company has been given a permit to construct a Sh20 billion complex in Nairobi.

 

Nairobi City County government issued the permit after AVIC International Real Estate Limited, a Chinese corporation paid Sh78 million as construction fees, the largest that the county has ever received.

The building to be constructed in Nairobi's Westlands area is expected to serve as the company's headquarters in Africa. The company has interests in international aviation, real estate, high-end consumer goods among others.

Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero on Friday received the money through a cheque from Mr Liu Jun, AVIC's president, a move that may cement Nairobi as one of the top business hubs in Africa.

While receiving the cheque, Dr Kidero informed the AVIC officials that the county government approves an average of 100,000 square meters real estate developments every month.

"This proves that the city is a preferred destination for real estate, commercial and residential developers in general. I want to assure prospective developers that the county government is moving fast to cope with the upcoming developments in terms of provision of services to match," he said.

He added: "We will make sure that the city nurtures a conducive environment for investment to thrive. Such moves include the decongestion of the city, community lighting and improved solid waste management."

The building will be set up on a 2,500 square meters piece of land and is expected to include commercial units, a hotel, residential units and offices.

The project will comprise a 43-level office tower, a 35-level hotel tower, four apartment towers of between 24 levels and 28 levels. It will also include a 4-level commercial podium.

If everything goes to plan, the massive building will be completed in five years and is expected to create at least 3000 jobs during the construction and after.

Avic International Africa said they chose Nairobi as their headquarters in Africa due to its geographical location, the close bilateral relations between China and Kenya and the favourable economic environment in the country.

The firm is running several projects including construction of Terminal 4 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Greenfield Airport, Two Rivers project in Westlands, UAP Towers in Upper Hill and another real estate project in Runda.