Engineering and Science Complex

The Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) is a KSh 4.5 billion (35 million Euros) flagship project of the University of Nairobi, funded the French Development Agency (AFD) and supported by the Governments of Kenya and France. The concept was initiated in 2015 when AFD invited higher education institutions to submit proposals for infrastructure development in science, technology, and innovation.

The University of Nairobi signed a partnership agreement with Ecomobilus Ltd on April 21, 2026, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom, marking the launch of the first Industrial Chair under the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) Communities of Excellence (CoEs).

The Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) Innovation Pillar undertook a week-long collaboration mission to leading universities in Paris from 3rd to 7th November 2025, aimed at strengthening international partnerships and enhancing understanding of global best practices in innovation ecosystems. The 14-member delegation, representing diverse faculties, was led by Prof. Jackson Maalu (Pillar Head and Ag. DVC Finance, Planning & Development), alongside Prof. George Abong (Ag. Director, University Advancement).

The University of Nairobi’s Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) successfully held its Research Annual Conference on October 21–22, 2025, alongside the University’s Research and Innovation Week. The event brought together researchers, PhD students and academic partners from Kenya and France to showcase ongoing collaborations and share insights on advancing research and innovation within the ESC framework.

The Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) Innovation Pillar advanced a landmark step in strengthening innovation at the University of Nairobi through a three-day workshop held from 22nd to 24th September, 2025, in Naivasha. The workshop focused on developing an Innovation Business Model to guide the Innovation Community of Excellence (CoE) operations and shape the business approach of all other ESC CoEs.

The University of Nairobi’s Directorate of University Advancement and Institutional Development has been recognized for its outstanding efforts in resource mobilization. The directorate played a pivotal role in securing key funding and establishing initiatives aimed at advancing the university’s mission. The Directorate was honoured at the Annual Staff Recognition Awards 2025, held on January 10, 2025, at the University of Nairobi, Chandaria Auditorium.

The University of Nairobi has proudly flagged off three outstanding students from the Faculty of Engineering who will be traveling to France for a five-month exchange program. The selected students are Mwawasi Elizabeth and Sandra Arunga, who have been admitted to Ècole des Ponts ParisTech to pursue a program in Sustainable and Green Engineering, and Anne Makhanu, who has been admitted to CentraleSupèlec to participate in the 2nd Year Fall Semester Engineering Mobility Program, where she will work on a research project focused on “Energy Efficiency of 5G IoT Networks.”

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, the French Development Agency (AFD) paid a courtesy call to Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama during their two-day education mission at the University of Nairobi. The primary focus of the visit was the forthcoming Engineering and Science Complex, a significant project born from a joint initiative between the Kenyan and French governments and ratified at the presidential level.

Due to the complexity of global challenges (climate change, energy transition, exhaustion of resources, inequalities…) and the emergence of new disciplines (systems science, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, quantum technology…), the education of engineers, technologists and scientists is evolving fast.