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Tanzania’s NSSF to build Sh3.6bn office block in Nairobi

The 26-storey complex in Upper Hill will be known as Umoja House.

Updated

Upper Hill Nairobi
A view of Nairobi’s Upper Hill commercial district. PHOTO | FILE

The government of Tanzania is planning to build a multimillion shilling office complex Nairobi’s Upper Hill area, a senior official has said.

Foreign Affairs’ deputy minister Mahadhi Maalimu last week told Parliament that the project, which will be implemented by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), is part of Tanzania’s plan to involve her pension funds in implementing projects in the country’s foreign embassies.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the final stages of dialogue with the NSSF to enable the fund to implement the project at Tanzania’s embassy in Nairobi,” he said.

The initial construction cost of the 26-storey complex, which will be known as Umoja House, is estimated at Sh3.6 billion.

Apart from hosting Tanzanian embassy, a large chunk of the complex – which will be located at the junction of Mara and Hill roads – will be reserved for business offices.

The government, whose equity in the project includes the ownership of the plot in Upper Hill, will contribute 20 per cent of the project’s share capital while NSSF will foot the remaining 80 per cent.

Sources familiar with the matter say Tanzania is betting on Umoja House to generate income to cater for other diplomatic missions in Africa, in a bid to reduce operational costs.

“We want to set up a number of investment centres in strategic areas to generate revenue to meet the costs of our diplomatic missions around the globe,” said a senior ministry official.

Hellen Ndaiga, a graduate of Daystar University with a degree in Communications, is an accomplished reporter experienced in covering construction news. She offers a unique perspective to our coverage.