Tatu City's Eneo Bolsters Kenya's Appeal as BPO Hub.

The Project was developed by Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA).

By Richard Kitheka

Kenya's economic landscape is experiencing significant transformation, with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies playing a pivotal role. These organizations, exemplified by #CCI at #Eneo in #TatuCity, create a mutually beneficial environment. International businesses can optimize costs while simultaneously unlocking a wealth of opportunities for Kenya's highly skilled but underemployed workforce.

The driving force behind #Eneo, Gateway Real Estate East Africa (GREA), is a subsidiary of the London-listed Grit Real Estate Income Group. Recognized as one of Africa's fastest-growing real estate developers, GREA boasts an impressive pipeline of projects across the continent, all strategically developed with pre-committed tenants in mind.

The Kenyan government recognizes the immense potential of BPOs. Vision 2030, the country's development blueprint, identifies BPO/IT-enabled Services (ITES) as a key economic pillar. This focus aims to generate over 200,000 jobs and contribute a significant 10% to the GDP, fueled by foreign direct investments in the sector. At the opening of ENEO at Tatu Central yesterday, President #Ruto showed that with commitment between the private and public sectors, the new CCI office park, thousands of jobs are possible.

But how exactly are BPOs such as this one making a difference for young Kenyans?

Contact Centers: A Launchpad for Careers

BPO contact centers are a significant driver of youth employment. These centers require a well-educated, multilingual workforce, perfectly suited for Kenya's young, tech-savvy population. Employment in a contact center offers:

• Competitive Salaries & Benefits: BPOs typically offer wages above the national average, along with many benefits, free training opportunities, and career progression paths.
• Skill Development: Working in a contact center hones valuable skills like communication, problem-solving, and customer service. These skills are highly transferable and open doors to diverse career paths.
• Global Exposure: BPOs often cater to international clients. This exposes young workers to global business practices and cultural diversity, making them strong contenders in the international job market.

The Legal Landscape: Ensuring a Stable Environment

The Kenyan government actively fosters a BPO-friendly environment. Here are some key legal aspects that ensure smooth operations:

• The Kenya Information and Communication Act (1998): This act establishes a legal framework for the ICT sector, including BPOs.
• The Data Protection Act (2019): This act protects the privacy of customer data handled by BPOs.
• The Employment Act (2007): This act outlines employee rights and employer obligations, ensuring fair treatment for BPO workers.
• The New Companies Act (2023) states that the registrar will not register a foreign company unless the company has at least one local representative. However with new directive, having a local director is no longer a legal requirement for foreign company registration.

Leading the Way: BPOs in Kenya

BPO companies such as #CCI offer a variety of services, including customer support, data entry, and back-office operations for international firms of good repute and social and financial standing. All this is done under the spectre of great ambience and very eco friendly settings in Eneo

The Future is Bright

The BPO sector in Kenya is brimming with potential. By providing quality jobs, fostering skill development, and contributing to the national economy, BPOs play a crucial role in empowering skilled young Kenyans and shaping a brighter future for the nation.

At ENEO which President #Ruto launched yesterday, the country now has a world class BPO facility. This is a a significant catalyst for the Tatu City ecosystem. Developed by GREA, the development subsidiary of London-listed Grit Real Estate Income Group (“Grit”), Eneo at Tatu Central was custom-designed for the anchor client CCI Global (“CCI”) which is Africa’s largest international contact centre specializing in Business Process Outsourcing (“BPO”).

Tenants at Eneo in Tatu Central are strategically positioned to leverage the significant advantages offered by Tatu City's status as Kenya's first operational Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This designation unlocks a suite of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives specifically designed to support manufacturing, industry, and job creation within the zone.

The Kenyan government's commitment to fostering a robust SEZ ecosystem is evident in the recently passed legislation offering a range of attractive benefits. These include a reduced corporate income tax rate of only 10% for the first ten years, followed by a further reduced rate of 15% for the next ten years (compared to the standard national rate of 30%). Additionally, registered tenants can benefit from zero-rated Value Added Tax (VAT) and stamp duty exemptions. Further potential advantages include import duty exemptions and a 100% capital investment deduction allowance for investments made within the SEZ.

In essence, Eneo tenants have the opportunity to operate within a highly cost-competitive environment, significantly reducing their operational burdens and enhancing their profitability. This translates to a more attractive business proposition, fostering long-term growth and success for companies within the Eneo development.

?

CCI has grown rapidly in Kenya since entering the market in 2006, specializing in the operation of outbound, inbound, and web chat multi-channel contact centres, serving leading international brands, mainly in the mobile, technology, telecommunications, and financial industry sectors.

“We are pleased to develop this state-of-the-art building for a world-class client like CCI. The building is custom designed to optimize both BPO efficiencies and staff wellness,” commented Greg Person, co-founder, and CEO of GREA which built the structure in 18 months- 4 ahead of the scheduled time frame. It is instructive to note here that GREA continental product bouquet ranges from healthcare assets, corporate office and consular staff accommodation, industrial warehouses and shopping malls to data centres and Business Process Outsource.

What's more, GREA buildings embrace #SDG codes. To achieve this the Head of Construction at GREA, Pumi Lukhele tapped BuildHer to provide a cohort of 34 women to work alongside the men in construction and fit out of Eneo. This has set a benchmark for women in the built environment. #BuildHer is a non profit operation that trains vulnerable women and equips them with accredited construction skills.

?

Martin Roe, Group Chief Executive Officer from CCI Global commented: “Our association with BuildHer through GREA serves as a testament to CCI Global’ s commitment to the environment and the community.

?

“Through this collaboration, we'd like to share how we support women and provide them with platforms to excel and demonstrate their unique talents and skills.”

And because the building hosts thousands of employees, it needed to be unique in several ways. “Eneo at Tatu Central was built according to international sustainability standards, lowering the development’s carbon footprint, and saving tenants on utility costs in the long-term,” said Bissessor.

?

Eneo has received pre-certification, indicating that the development is well positioned to receive an EDGE Advanced certification from the International Finance Corporation, underscoring their dedication to reducing environmental impact and promoting energy efficiency.

“This building methodology results in at least 40% savings in energy and water efficiency compared to conventional building methods. It also means that Eneo is zero carbon ready. The two towers, a five-storey and four-storey BPO development, comprise two basement parking levels that fit over 500 cars. Large floor plates allow for flexible tenanting options, whilst rapid lifts ensure seamless shift changes for the many workers.

?

Both towers sit on a stone-clad podium comprising retail space that steps down into a pedestrian walkway surrounded by planters.

As the industry continues to flourish under the new rules of play, and with the establishment of the new ENEO 15,000sqm Towers at Tatu City, Kenya is well-positioned to solidify its place as a leader in the global BPO landscape.

Such bespoke turnkey developments are the brain child of Greg Pearson and Bronwyn Knight, founding members Grit Real Estate Investment Group (“Grit”).

Founded in 2014, Grit is the largest pan-African real estate income group listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Mauritius. Grit currently operates across 7 countries, with direct investments in five asset classes and 25 assets valued at circa USD800 million.

Congratulations to Greg Pearson , Bronwyn Knight @Craig Glutz, Pumi Lukhele #StandardBank, Rishi Jatania Elphick Proome Architecture Sutherland-Civil and Structural Engineers, Mace YMR, the Quantity Surveyors MAAS - Sustainability consultants , Tatu Gatere and the wider team at GREA for a most sterling product!

END.