(L-R) H.E Amb. Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, and Preston Mendenhall, Group COO Rendeavour and Country Head Kenya.

Tatu City hosts Chinese Ambassador to Kenya

CHINESE AMBASADOR VISITS TATU CITY TO ADVANCE SINO-KENYAN TIES

Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, visited Tatu City, Kenya’s leading Special Economic Zone (SEZ), to view the city’s development progress, engage directly with Chinese enterprises operating within the zone, and strengthen bilateral cooperation between China and Kenya at government and private sector levels.

Tatu City is home to seven Chinese companies representing USD 400 million in investment and more than 10,000 jobs created to date. These enterprises span diverse sectors including textiles, healthcare, renewable energy, construction, automotive, and real estate.

Companies such as FullCare Medical SEZ, Tianlong Cylinder Company, Stecol Corporation (PowerChina), Sinotruk Kenya, Peonystar Kenya Limited, and Kyanite Investment, among others, have established thriving operations within the SEZ, contributing significantly to local employment and industrial advancement.

“Over the last three years, we have made dozens of trips to China to build partnerships and understand the needs of Chinese investors. Today, Tatu City stands as a preferred destination for Chinese enterprises in East Africa — a secure, world-class SEZ designed to enable growth, speed, and sustainability,” said Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour.

Ambassador Guo said, “Tatu City showcases the true spirit of China-Kenya partnership: practical, innovative, and focused on development. The presence of Chinese companies here not only strengthens our trade ties but also creates meaningful employment and industrial value in Kenya.”

Tatu City’s vision for Chinese engagement goes beyond numbers, taking a deeply strategic approach. The city offers a one-stop service model tailored to the unique needs of Chinese enterprises, emphasizing speed, professionalism, and cultural alignment. To support this, Tatu City has a dedicated China desk team which bridges cultural and language barriers, as well as aligning business practices across both countries. This ensures seamless interaction with the Chinese business community and fosters a more supportive environment for investment and growth.

Tatu City continues to attract interest from a diverse range of industries, with future growth expected in sectors such as labor-intensive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, smart warehousing and logistics, electronics assembly, real estate, traditional Chinese medicine, education, and food services. The number of Chinese enterprises at Tatu City is projected to exceed 15 by 2026.

Tatu City, Rendeavour’s flagship development in Kenya, welcomes 25,000 people daily, who live, work, and study within its dynamic community. The city hosts over 100 businesses. Companies based at Tatu City include Emirates Logistics, Heineken, Cold Solutions, CCI Global, Dormans, Kärcher, CKL, Naivas, NCBA, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Hewatele, Freight Forwarders Solutions, Tamarind Group, ADvTECH, Friendship Group, Bakels, Novis, and Davis & Shirtliff.

Firms setting up operations in the Tatu City SEZ benefit from a range of incentives, including a 10% corporate tax rate for the first 10 years and 15% for the following 10 years, compared to the standard 30%. Businesses also enjoy VAT zero-rating on goods and services and exemptions on import duty and stamp duty.