Ethiopia launches ICT Park, after Kenya [51709456] | African news, analysis and opinion – The Africa Report.com

n launch an information and communication technology (ICT) park, becoming the second East African nation, after Kenya, to do so.

MAP OF ETHIOPIA

The ambitious project, known as the Technopolis, is being constructed in Addis Ababa at a cost of US$45 million.

Construction of the first phase, which began three years ago, will soon be completed, the country's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) announced.

Ethiopia's Silicon Valley is spread of 200 hectares of land and authorities claim it is the second of its kind in Africa, after a similar one planned in Kenya.

Earlier this month, Kenya announced plans to construct an ICT park on a 5,000 acre site in the capital, Nairobi.

When complete the Sh800bn ($9.6 million) Konza Technology City, which is part of Kenya's Vision 2030, is expected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the ICT sector.

"The first phase with an area of approximately 70 hectares which consists of MCIT headquarters, data and incubation centres is expected to be complete soon," the ministry said.

"The establishment of the IT Park would help attract overseas investment, generate foreign earnings, stimulate growth of domestic ICT industry and create employment and career opportunities for Ethiopian citizens."

Construction of the second stage is due to be complete in the next three years.

Upon completion, the IT Park is expected to generate some 300,000 job opportunities in the country.