Tatu City’s leadership recently met with Kenya’s Deputy President to discuss strategies for improving the investment climate, leveraging mixed-use Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and advancing coffee sector reforms. The talks aimed to share operational lessons from Tatu City’s SEZ model while exploring collaborative opportunities with the government to enhance Kenya’s global competitiveness.
The meeting brought together senior figures from both the private and public sectors, including officials from the State Department for Investments, the Special Economic Zones Authority, and the Agriculture and Food Authority. Discussions centered on how SEZs can attract long-term investment and foster industrial growth, while also positioning Kenya’s coffee industry for greater value addition and stronger branding in global markets.
Tatu City, a flagship development hosting over 25,000 residents, workers, and students daily, is one of Kenya’s largest coffee producers and the country’s biggest miller. Its leadership emphasized the unique potential of the Kenyan coffee brand and the benefits of combining SEZ efficiencies with strategic partnerships. They underscored that targeted reforms, especially in branding and value addition, could increase export earnings and create more local jobs.
The Deputy President reiterated the government’s commitment to growing the SEZ policy framework, improving the overall investment environment, and revitalizing the coffee industry. He highlighted that such partnerships between the public and private sectors are key to unlocking Kenya’s industrial and agricultural potential.
Tatu City has attracted over KSh 400 billion in investments from companies and institutions across the globe, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Norway, and South Africa. Its SEZ hosts more than 100 companies, ranging from logistics and manufacturing to education and retail. Notable businesses operating within the city include major logistics firms, beverage producers, medical suppliers, financial institutions, and global service providers.
Investors in Tatu City’s SEZ enjoy competitive incentives such as a reduced corporate tax rate of 10% for the first decade, 15% for the next 10 years, and exemptions from VAT, import duty, and stamp duty. These benefits, combined with modern infrastructure and a supportive business ecosystem, make Tatu City a model for attracting both domestic and international investment.
The discussions underscored the potential of combining SEZ advantages with targeted agricultural reforms, particularly in coffee, to drive sustainable economic growth and strengthen Kenya’s position in global trade.
