Somali businessman Abdiweli Hassan, founder of Business Bay Square (BBS) in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, is set to invest KSh 65 billion ($503 million) at Tatu City.
A New Kind of City Within a City
The project will integrate residential apartments, shopping centres, offices, warehouses, schools, parks, and a mosque, all linked by Tatu City’s established road and utility network.
Linked by Tatu City’s established road and utility network, the development will preserve nearly half the land as open green space — balancing real estate growth with livability. Construction is expected to begin within the next year and roll out in phases over a decade.
“BBS Mall changed how people viewed Eastleigh, showing that thoughtful development can reshape neighbourhoods,” said Mr. Hassan, OGW, EBS. “Now, the future lies beyond the city centre in places like Tatu City, where we can build holistic communities with schools, offices, entertainment, and green spaces.”
From Eastleigh to Tatu City
Hassan’s earlier venture, Business Bay Square Mall, through his company Ten Commodities Wholesalers Ltd, he now brings that experience to Tatu City, partnering with Rendeavour, the pan-African developer behind the 5,000-acre satellite city located 20 km north of Nairobi’s CBD.
“It takes visionaries like Abdiweli Hassan to execute large-scale projects that improve lives,” said Stephen Jennings, Founder & CEO of Rendeavour. “We’re proud to welcome this record-setting investment to Tatu City.”
Investor Confidence and SEZ Incentives
Tatu City has become a magnet for local and foreign investors, supported by SEZ tax incentives, including:
- 10% corporate tax for the first 10 years, 15% for the next 10
- VAT zero-rating on goods and services
- Exemptions from import duty and stamp duty
More than 75 companies have already set up operations. Cumulative investments at Tatu now exceed KSh 450 billion ($3.49 billion).
Still, questions remain around how Hassan’s $503 million project will be financed. Whether through private equity, loans, or off-plan sales, funding clarity will influence the pace of development. The project must also navigate permit approvals and environmental assessments under public and political scrutiny.
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Expanding Regional Influence
Hassan’s expansion into Tatu City reflects his growing role in East Africa’s property sector and signals confidence in Kenya’s urban growth trajectory.
Tatu City’s appeal now extends to the manufacturing, logistics, education, and service industries.
“This is more than another property deal it’s a statement of long-term faith in Kenya’s economic direction,” said Hassan. “We’re building a model for integrated urban living at a time when Nairobi’s middle class is expanding and demand for planned communities is rising.”
