Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana handed over 500 acres of land to Canadian investors to put up Ksh39 billion ($302 million) life-changing organic city in Madogo, Bangale Sub-County.

The Areri Organic City project is being undertaken by Conkrite Capital of Canada and will integrate eco-homes, vocational training centres, regenerative agriculture and renewable energy.

The smart city organic project has been hailed as a model for Africa’s sustainable urban future that saves energy, conserves resources and improves urban living quality.

Conkrite Capital has nicknamed Tana River the ‘Garden of Eden of Africa due to its biodiversity with the project designed to be a model for sustainable urban development in Africa.

The initiative will merge urban development with environmental sustainability and in turn reduce carbon footprints and promoting a healthier and greener and more self-sustaining lifestyle. The organic city is a major regenerative, agro-urban development project aiming to transform a rural area into a sustainable eco-friendly city for the 21st century.

Hope is high among residents as the project is set to create at least 2000 jobs and transform lives in the once sleepy, dusty and remote village of Abakiki and Tana River County as a whole.

Governor Dhadho said the county leadership and residents had approved the massive project, which has already began on a 20-acre pilot phase. He says the devolved government is actively wooing domestic and foreign investors to create jobs and spur economic growth.

“We need investors to unlock prosperity, create jobs, modernise infrastructure and drive inclusive growth,” he said.

He added, “We are showcasing Tana River as a preferred destination for investment and bustling hub of opportunities for local and international investors.”

Dhadho welcomed the multibillion shilling investment as one that will open up Tana River, which he described as hidden treasure. The governor says the investment signifies a shift from a history of underdevelopment and marginalisation to proactive future-oriented development model.

He said the joint effort by the county and the private investor is part of a broader “new Tana River” agenda that focuses on sustainable development. The county boss said his administration had a long list of partners and investors waiting to setup camp in Tana River assuring them of total support from the devolved government.

The project, billed as the most ambitious eco-urban development in the East African region, will blend 25,000 modern housing units for residents, agro-business and renewable energy projects and many socio-economic components for the local people.

“We want to take Tana River to the next level. Our county is disaster-prone. It suffers from perpetual drought, floods, insecurity, diseases and alarming rates of poverty. We want to change this narrative now through rural urbanisation like this organic city where all needs – education, health, electricity, clean water, roads and modern life – can be enjoyed by all,” he explained.

Dhadho said Tana River County is blessed with land and abundant natural resources and has no reason to be stuck in poverty.

Conkrite Company Director Nicolas Val Delle said the project will be a living eco-system, a model community city and the first of its kind in the East African region.

“When you build people, people build cities. This is not just a construction but civilisation reborn,” Val Delle said.

He explained that the project will incorporate residential, commercial and agricultural zones designed to operate as a self-sustaining community with the eco-homes, vocational training centres, renewable energy facilities, regenerative farms, an airstrip and other infrastructure.

Delle thanked the governor, local leadership and residents for accepting the project pledging to give job opportunities to local youth. He said the project will be executed in phases for 12 years and seeks to transform the area into a competitive tourism and investment destination through an eco-friendly, vibrant, smart city.

“This is just the beginning as the story of organic city will be the story of the next 500 years as it is laying the foundation for a new kind of civilization, one that empowers people, restores the plant and redefines prosperity,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report by Hussein Abdullahi