This archive report was first published on 4 January 2022.
Published on January 4, 2022, a call was made to ranchers in Taita-Taveta County to align their strategic plans with the national government’s Big 4 Agenda.
The Chief Executive Officer of Africa Social Financing Center, Mr. David Tayo, emphasized that government funding is guided by priorities, and private sector players need to align their plans with government policies and priorities to reap the benefits of state expenditure.
Speaking at the 2nd Annual Economic Empowerment summit at Taita-Taveta University, Mr. Tayo noted that government funding is guided by priorities, and ranchers need to customize their strategic plans to align with the government’s Big 4 Agenda to reap maximum benefit in terms of funding.
Mr. Tayo highlighted that the government has expressed interest in establishing an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at a 300-acre piece of land at Ndii in Voi, and ranches have the ability to allocate 100,000 acres for setting up a special economic and manufacturing zone.
He added that such a move would make ranches a key manufacturing pillar and home to the largest industrial park in Africa, attracting billions of shillings in investment from government and development partners.
Mr. Tayo also emphasized the importance of joint investments with international players in conservation, citing the vast land and forests that ranches possess, making them poised for a take-off in this area.
Dr. Kambale Maghanga, a don at Taita-Taveta University, disclosed that the institution is establishing a business incubation center to support ranchers and other local players to develop business ideas into rewarding ventures.
County Chief Officer for Lands Leonard Lagat announced that the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) is set to start operation in Taita-Taveta County after finalizing the land registration process.
The government has also disclosed plans to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the border town of Taveta to facilitate speedy processing of imports and exports.
