KENYA : Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) of The University of Nairobi

Kenya’s government set the goal of transforming the country into a new industrialized middle-income economy by 2030. Implementing these overarching goals requires a workforce with the right skill set, including science, engineering and technology.

The University of Nairobi is the pioneer institution of university education in Kenya and the region. As such, it paves the way for training the next generation of suitably qualified engineers and scientists who will drive Kenya's development.

It is in this context that the UoN developed the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) project, supported by the AFD.

The main objective is to strengthen the quality of teaching and research in the Faculties of Science and Technology, and Engineering at the University of Nairobi and thus increase its regional and international influence.

The EUR 30 million loan will finance the detailed design, construction and equipping of an engineering and science complex at the University of Nairobi’s Chiromo campus.

A EUR 5 million grant will support project programming, preliminary geotechnical studies and architectural competition, cooperation with higher education institutions and the gender component, WOMEN in STEM.

The complex will have flexible spaces that can easily be shared in order to increase the number of students in these two faculties by 20% and to develop new cutting-edge research and innovation activities in close contact with enterprises and to adapt the education provided to the local and regional labour market.

The project will also review study programs and pedagogy to create stronger links with industry and increase internationalization. 

It will be implemented in partnership with ParisTech and CentraleSupélec. Specific support for young women studying or working in STEM fields will also be designed and funded as part of the project.

• Construction and equipment of an Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) of approximately 30 000 m² with four Centres of Excellence, with an adequate and ambitious environmental certification for the building (LEED Silver, or equivalent international certification).
• Support for the creation and launch of the new ESC
• Revision of curricula and pedagogy, and support for the creation of stronger links with industry and increasing internationalization, in partnership with leading French universities of science and engineering.
• Gender program to support women in STEM
• The programme will integrate gender issues into the project, both through infrastructure and services.