Centum initiates plans for 22-storey office block at Two Rivers special economic zone

A version of this article originally appeared in the Business Daily Africa.

Centum Investment Company is moving forward with plans to construct a 22-storey office building within its Two Rivers development in Nairobi. This project is a central component of the Two Rivers International Finance and Innovation Centre (TRIFIC), which was recently designated as a private special economic zone. The developer submitted its environmental impact assessment study to the National Environment Management Authority this week, seeking the necessary approvals to begin the vertical expansion of the site.

The proposed tower will be situated on a 1.6-acre plot within the larger Two Rivers complex, which already hosts the region’s largest shopping mall and various residential developments. According to the project documents, the building will offer a total of 13,382 square metres of office space. This space is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of global enterprises, professional services firms, and technology companies that are expected to set up operations within the special economic zone.

A key driver for this development is the regulatory framework governing special economic zones in Kenya. Companies operating within TRIFIC are eligible for a range of fiscal incentives, including a reduced corporate tax rate of 10 percent for the first ten years and exemptions from value-added tax and import duties. These measures are intended to position Nairobi as a competitive hub for international trade and service exports, directly rivaling other regional financial centres.

The architectural design includes three basement levels dedicated to parking and utility services. Above the ground floor, which will likely house reception areas and some commercial facilities, the 21 floors of office space will be constructed to modern international standards. Centum has indicated that the building will incorporate green building practices, focusing on energy efficiency and waste management systems to align with the environmental requirements of multinational tenants.

This new office block marks a shift in Centum’s strategy for Two Rivers, transitioning from a retail and residential focus toward a business-heavy environment. The company previously faced challenges with high debt levels and the slow absorption of commercial space in the city, but the designation of the site as a special economic zone has provided a new avenue for growth. By creating a dedicated business district with its own administrative framework, Centum aims to de-risk the project and attract long-term institutional occupiers.

Construction is expected to take approximately two years once all regulatory hurdles are cleared. The project will involve significant civil engineering works, including the reinforcement of the local power grid and water supply systems to handle the increased load of a high-density office tower. During the construction phase, the developer estimates that hundreds of jobs will be created in the local building sector, ranging from masonry and steelwork to specialized MEP engineering.

The development comes at a time when the Nairobi commercial real estate market is seeing a divergence in performance. While generic office space has seen high vacancy rates in some areas, Grade A office developments and specialized economic hubs have continued to attract interest. Centum is betting that the unique legal status of TRIFIC, combined with the infrastructure already present at Two Rivers, will provide a competitive edge in a crowded market.

As the National Environment Management Authority reviews the proposal, the public has been invited to submit comments on the potential impacts of the tower. These include considerations for traffic flow along the Limuru Road corridor and the management of construction-related noise and dust. Centum has proposed a series of mitigation measures in its filing to ensure the project complies with urban planning guidelines and environmental standards.