Kenya Enacts Technopolis, Tax and SEZ Laws to Boost Tech Investment

President William Ruto signed three bills into law at State House in Nairobi: the Technopolis Act, an amendment to the Income Tax Act and the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill. The Technopolis Act creates a dedicated legal framework for technology‑focused urban zones, establishes the Technopolis Development Authority as the successor to the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, and introduces a Technopolis Dispute Resolution Tribunal to handle licensing and development disputes.

The Income Tax amendment removes capital gains tax on internal corporate reorganisations where no real economic gain occurs, aiming to ease business restructurings and promote tax neutrality. The SEZ amendment expands the definition of special economic zones to include oil and gas zones and standardises tax incentives for firms operating within them.

Together, the reforms are intended to attract global investment, skilled talent and innovation, positioning Kenya as a knowledge‑based digital economy. The government said the framework "is expected to attract global investment, talent and innovation, while accelerating Kenya’s transition into a knowledge‑based digital economy."