Kenya has taken a decisive step toward becoming Africa’s first geothermal-powered industrial city as it unveils KenGen Green Energy Park. The plan places Kenya a step closer to becoming Africa’s green manufacturing leader in the 3365 hectares industrial complex project. The project is located in Olkaria, one of the world’s largest geothermal reservoirs and will run entirely on geothermal power. The significance is monumental as the project is touted as Africa’s first fully integrated geothermal-powered industrial ecosystem. Furthermore, it is expected to stimulate new manufacturing growth and attract foreign investment. It is also expected to unlock the vast commercial potential of the geothermal-rich Rift Valley. The park will offer investors various amenities and benefits such as uninterrupted 100 percent renewable energy and full Special Economic Zone (SEZ) benefits. They will also have direct access to geothermal steam, brine, and raw water. Together, these incentives form one of the most competitive industrial value propositions on the continent.
Scope of Implementation on the KenGen Green Energy Park
The KenGen Green Energy Park aligns closely with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Furthermore, it positions manufacturing as a key driver of job creation and GDP growth. Its SEZ status also unlocks tax incentives, streamlined licensing, and preferential treatment for export-oriented industries. “It ensures that manufacturing becomes a key driver of economic growth and job creation for all Kenyans,” noted KenGen Board Chairman Hon Alfred Agoi. KenGen Managing Director and CEO Eng Peter Njenga noted that the park represents a transformative opportunity for Kenya’s industrialisation journey. “By leveraging our geothermal resources, we are creating an environment where businesses can thrive while contributing to sustainable development,” he added.
Timeline
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is developing the park in four phases and expected to be completed by 2045. This long-term investment will transform Olkaria from a purely energy-producing zone into a fully-fledged green industrial city. Spanning 3356 hectares, the park is being master-planned as a modern green industrial city featuring zones for heavy and light industry, steam-intensive operations, and logistics hubs. It will also include technology campuses, Tier III and IV data centers, administrative complexes, and commercial amenities. Hospitality facilities, research and development hubs, and recreational areas will also make the park a self-contained ecosystem where manufacturing, innovation, and business services coexist.
Interest on Africa’s First Geothermal-Powered Industrial City
Despite its long-term timeline, the KenGen Green Energy Park has already attracted major investors. KenGen has secured three anchor clients. They are Konza Technopolis Development Authority and ECO Cloud, which plan to build a geothermal-powered data center. On the other hand, there is Kaishan Group of China, which will establish a green fertilizer production plant using geothermal steam and brine. Conversely, AquilaStar Corporate Investment Company intends to set up an electric vehicle assembly facility. Additional firms are in the pipeline, signaling strong global appetite for low-carbon manufacturing destinations. The Green Energy Park represents one of the boldest attempts to embed renewable energy at the core of Africa’s manufacturing growth. This comes at a time when global companies face increasing pressure to decarbonize supply chains. Olkaria positions Kenya as a destination where firms can dramatically reduce emissions without compromising industrial efficiency.
Project Factsheet
Project Name: KenGen Green Energy Park
Developer: Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)
Location: Olkaria, Rift Valley, Kenya
Total Land Area: 3,356 hectares
Power Source: 100% geothermal
Development Model: Phased (4 phases)
Target Completion: 2045
Strategic Importance
- Africa’s first fully integrated geothermal-powered industrial ecosystem
- Aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)
- Positions Kenya as a green manufacturing and low-carbon industrial hub
- Designed to attract foreign direct investment and export-oriented industries
Investor Incentives
- Full Special Economic Zone (SEZ) benefits
- Tax incentives and streamlined licensing
- Uninterrupted renewable power supply
- Direct access to geothermal steam, brine, and raw water
Planned Infrastructure
- Heavy and light industrial zones
- Steam-intensive manufacturing areas
- Logistics and warehousing hubs
- Tier III and Tier IV data centers
- Technology and innovation campuses
- Research and development facilities
- Commercial, administrative, and hospitality zones
Anchor Investors Secured
- Konza Technopolis Development Authority / ECO Cloud – geothermal-powered data center
- Kaishan Group (China) – green fertilizer production plant
- AquilaStar Corporate Investment Company – electric vehicle assembly facility
Outlook
- Strong early investor interest despite long development timeline
- Targets companies seeking low-carbon manufacturing locations
- Positions Olkaria as a continental hub for sustainable industrialization
