By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, June 10, 2026 - The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has granted provisional registration to the Konza Technopolis Wildlife Conservancy, making the flagship project the first smart city in Africa to host an officially registered wildlife conservancy spanning 404.69 hectares.
Welcoming the move through a statement, Konza Technopolis said that the registration is a major step towards the city’s master plan, which has set aside 1,000 acres of its 5,000-acre development area as a wildlife corridor to support biodiversity and allow wildlife to coexist alongside modern infrastructure.
Konza said that the newly registered conservancy shall be maintained for a minimum of 15 years in compliance with KWS regulations, as well as a comprehensive wildlife conservancy management plan.
The conservancy forms part of the wider Athi-Kapiti Ecosystem and provides habitat for key species, including the Grey Crowned Crane, Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Maasai Ostrich, Maasai Giraffe, Zebra, and Gazelles.
“This milestone positions Konza Technopolis as the first and only purpose-built smart city in Africa with a formally registered wildlife conservancy, setting a new benchmark for integrating technology, conservation, and sustainable development,” a statement from Konza read.
“It reinforces the Konza Technopolis’ vision of creating a world-class smart city where innovation, economic development, and environmental stewardship coexist,” it added.
The conservancy will also support Konza’s planned Luxury Eco-Living Zone, an 80-acre mixed-use development earmarked for bespoke villas, eco-lodges, premium holiday homes, and hospitality investment.
Speaking following the registration, Technopolis Development Authority CEO, John Paul Okwiri, said that the registration will attract investment, innovation, research institutions, and world-class infrastructure.
Beyond conservation, the registration will be key to unlocking opportunities in sustainable tourism development, carbon credit and climate-finance initiatives, and Environmental, Social, and Governance -aligned investments, nature-based recreation and education, and premium eco-living developments, according to Konza.
The registration aligns with the country’s broader commitments to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and green economic growth in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.
“United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, and SDG 15, which centers on the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,” Konza stated
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