Signing of the Engineering and Science Complex Architectural Design Project.
The University of Nairobi hosted the official signing ceremony of the Architectural Design Contract for the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC), on May 8, 2026. The event brought together the University Chancellor, Prof Patrick Verkooijen, the French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Arnaud Suquet, the French Development Agency (AFD) Country Director, Anne-Gaël CHAPUIS, the Vice Chancellor (Ag) Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson and members of the University’s top management.
This marked a major milestone in the realisation of the Engineering and Science Complex, a transformative KSh 4.5 billion (€35 million) flagship infrastructure project funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and supported by the Governments of Kenya and France.
The ESC project was conceived in 2015 when AFD invited higher education institutions to submit proposals aimed at strengthening infrastructure development in science, technology and innovation. The initiative gained momentum in March 2019 during the first State visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Kenya, when a Letter of Intent was signed to support the project.
Further progress was achieved in October 2021 through the signing of credit and grant agreements, followed by subsidiary agreements in 2022 between the University of Nairobi, the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury, establishing the legal and financial framework for implementation.
Following three years of development and technical studies, including academic cooperation with partner French higher education institutions, Scope Design Systems was awarded the architectural design contract through an international competition conducted in December 2025. The legally binding contract now paves the way for the next implementation phase and aligns with the Africa Forward Summit announced during President Macron’s second State visit to Kenya.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chancellor, Prof Verkooijen, described the occasion as a historic milestone for both the University of Nairobi and Kenya. “The project would contribute to the creation of high-end jobs, strengthen innovation ecosystems and provide a sustainable pathway for solutions-driven development,” he noted.
He commended all teams involved for their dedication and commitment throughout the project journey and reaffirmed the University’s resolve to ensure timely and quality delivery of the facility for early utilization in the next academic year.
The French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Suquet, lauded the strong collaboration demonstrated by all stakeholders in advancing the project. “I reaffirm the continued support of the French Government and emphasise the importance of sustained partnership and teamwork in ensuring the successful implementation of the Engineering and Science Complex,” he added.
The AFD Country Director also reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting the project, highlighting its alignment with broader efforts to strengthen higher education infrastructure and innovation capacity across Africa.
The Engineering and Science Complex, to be based at the University’s Chiromo Campus, is envisioned as a world-class hub for education, research, innovation and advanced training in engineering and science. The facility will host Communities of Excellence (CoE) focusing on innovation, data and Artificial Intelligence, green energy, sustainable chemistry, agriculture and food systems, health, advanced manufacturing and urban development.
The interdisciplinary communities are expected to strengthen industry linkages, foster collaborative research and support the development of innovative solutions to national and regional challenges.
With the signing of the architectural design contract, the project now moves into the detailed design phase, which will guide the procurement process for the contractor responsible for constructing the Engineering and Science Complex.
- Log in to post comments
