Zhende Medical has announced plans to invest 26.8 billion shillings ($189 million) in Tatu City, Kenya, for the production of medical devices.
The Chinese medical device maker, through its local subsidiary Fullcare Medical, said the factory will help expand the distribution of critical medical supplies in sub-Saharan Africa.
“After a thorough evaluation of markets and location, we selected Kenya and Tatu City as our base for our global expansion. , we are fully committed to strengthening cooperation between Kenya and multinational companies,” said Lu Jianguo, Chairman of Zhende Medical, on the sidelines of the 3rd Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum in Beijing.
The company has secured 14.9 billion shillings ($100 million) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, to expand its operations on the continent.
“I would like to thank Zhende Medical for their decision to set up in Kenya and Tatu City. The Chinese business community is fully attuned to Kenya’s immense potential as a dynamic and most promising investment destination. I am very encouraged by this evidence that this is the case,” President William Ruto said at the time of signing the agreement with Tatu City owner Rendebar.
The company, a leading manufacturer and distributor of disposable medical devices, plans to build facilities in Tatu City and the adjacent Oaklands development area.
“Zende Medical represents one of the most significant foreign direct investments not only in Kenya's history but in all of Africa,” added Stephen Jennings, founder and chief executive officer of Rendeavour.
Scheduled to be operational in January 2024, Zhende's first facility will be East Africa's largest light industrial and logistics zone.
Once completed, the facility will employ 7,000 Kenyans, export 47.7 billion Kenyan shillings ($320 million) annually to customers around the world, and expand the distribution of critical medical supplies in the region. It turns out.
Zhende Medical has 16 manufacturing plants in six regions in China and two overseas plants in the UK and Mexico.
