African Entrepreneurship Record

Yakrof: ”Planned economy is indeed similar to the free market, but judging by the development of Mombasa, your economic system seems quite successful.”

Korivid: ”Certainly, though this economic system is not without flaws, and there are quite a few issues. However, at this stage, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. After all, the actual changes and developments in East Africa are undeniable, not just in Mombasa but in other rapidly growing cities, continuously with new ones emerging.”

”Mr. Korivid, could you tell me about the situation in other cities in East Africa?” Yakrof naturally wanted to put in more effort and prepare mentally before determining his future workplace and living situation.

”Of course, though my visits to East African cities have not been extensive, I do have some understanding of the overall situation. I’ll start with the major cities of East Africa, such as our new capital city, Rhein City...”

...

While Korivid introduced Yakrof to the development status of East African cities, the Mombasa City Government and the Eastern Province Government were also discussing the city circle issue of Dar es Salaam City.

As a twin city in East Africa, Mombasa City undoubtedly pays the most attention to Dar es Salaam City, and so does the Eastern Province, since its economy mainly relies on Mombasa City, unlike the Marine Province which has strong economic cities like Bajamojo City, Tanga City, Morogoro City, First Town City, and Soga City.

Although the Eastern Province has cities other than Mombasa City, their strength is not enough to establish a competitive advantage against the Marine Province. Mombasa itself is not as strong as Dar es Salaam City, and after the capital relocation in East Africa, Dar es Salaam City may progress even further.

However, there are opportunities in this transition. First Town City no longer being the capital is seen as a chance by Mombasa, since when First Town was the capital, the former Central Province, now the Marine Province, benefitted greatly from policy advantages, and the surrounding cities of First Town City thrived.

With the capital now in Rhein City, these policy advantages have shifted to the areas around Rhein City. Hence, the Eastern Province Government believes that without the central government’s policy advantages, the Marine Province’s development will inevitably be affected. For the Eastern Province, which is eager to surpass the Central Province, this is an invaluable opportunity.

Yet, as the city circle policies for Dar es Salaam City are implemented, it puts pressure on the Eastern Province and Mombasa City Government. Despite the capital relocation, Dar es Salaam City and Marine Province still receive more attention than the Eastern Province and Mombasa.

Mombasa City Mayor Lorraine said: ”The national plan for the Dar es Salaam City circle further ignites Mombasa City’s ambition. Mombasa City has always aimed to surpass Dar es Salaam City as the top target, although the city government and provincial government have worked hard over the years, Mombasa City’s comprehensive advantages are still slightly inferior.”

”The city circle planning for Dar es Salaam City undoubtedly presents unfavorable news for Mombasa City’s goal to vie for East Africa’s top city, so for further development of Mombasa City.”

”With Mombasa City’s economy accounting for over seventy percent of the province, if Mombasa City doesn’t develop, it would be a disaster for the entire province. The city government hopes to obtain support from the provincial government to prevent Mombasa City from being left behind by Dar es Salaam City.”

Eastern Province Governor Andre agreed with Lorraine’s view: ”Though our province also has Malindi and Lamu, these two relatively strong cities have limitations. Lamu’s development is restricted by its military use, and while Malindi is one of the few ancient cities in East Africa, its economic development in recent years is not ideal. Excluding Mombasa City, Malindi, and Lamu, other cities are even less competitive.”

Andre spoke very tactfully; apart from the above three cities, the other cities in the Eastern Province are not worthy of their name, only meeting the administrative level of a city, which is a township level.

”Therefore, our province’s economic development must first concentrate on developing Mombasa City, then use Mombasa City to drive regional economic development.”

Though Lorraine and Andre’s support is evident, naturally there are dissenting opinions, with someone saying: ”Governor, isn’t this decision too hasty? Indeed, apart from Mombasa City, the province’s other cities have unsatisfactory development, but this also proves their potential is significant. Moreover, putting all eggs in one basket isn’t safe; if Mombasa City fails to develop and consumes a large amount of resources, it would be a disaster for our province.”

Andre sighed: ”But aside from Mombasa, we have no choice. Mombasa itself accounts for a large portion of the province’s economy and has its unmatched advantages in transport, being the nation’s crucial railway and maritime hub city.”

”This means Mombasa City can produce achievements most easily, while there isn’t a single city in our province capable of taking on such a task. The only city that barely compares with Mombasa in fundamental conditions is Lamu City, but a significant portion of its port is requisitioned by the navy, under these circumstances, Mombasa’s role becomes even more irreplaceable.”

Since the completion of the northern railway, other cities in the Eastern Province are inevitably unable to compete with Mombasa City, especially since Mombasa is the city in the Eastern Province with the best port conditions.

Andre said: ”To compete with the Marine Province, we as the weaker side must concentrate all energy to first develop Mombasa City; not to surpass Dar es Salaam City, but at least not be left behind by it. Only then can we establish competitiveness with the Marine Province; if Mombasa City can’t develop, future competition with the Marine Province will only become increasingly strenuous, even causing us to fall behind.”

”Hence, during the Five-Year Plan, the province’s resources must prioritize Mombasa City’s development, focusing on developing one city to drive overall provincial development.”

”I have reached some consensus with Mombasa City’s Mayor Lorraine. To advance Mombasa City’s development, a Great Mombasa City development strategy is formulated to expand Mombasa City’s urban area and incorporate surrounding towns into Mombasa City’s economic cooperation zone.”

”The key is to incorporate Kilifi Town and Mtwapa Town into Mombasa City’s urban area, making them a highly concentrated industrial area similar to Dar es Salaam City New District.”

Kilifi Town and Mtwapa Town are in the north of Mombasa City, on both banks of the Mtwapa River, less than twenty kilometers from Mombasa.

”Meanwhile, the development potential of Mombasa City is substantial. Mombasa City’s main area is currently on Mombasa Island, so to further promote Mombasa City’s development, the province will focus on constructing two bridges during the Five-Year Plan to achieve development in the northern and western parts, establishing two new districts.”

”That is, on the basis of the original Mombasa City urban area, expanding Mombasa City’s urban area threefold and connecting the three new districts with the Mombasa urban area through highways and railways, centralizing provincial enterprises to invest in building new factories in Mombasa and guiding foreign investment to establish the northern new district, promoting crucial industries like steel, electricity, and electrolytic aluminum to settle in Mombasa City.”

”Once the Great Mombasa City plan is completed, even if the Dar es Salaam City circle forms, we can compete with it by the strength of Mombasa City alone.”

”This is the goal of Great Mombasa City during the Five-Year Plan, aiming to form a transportation and industrial layout with four key port areas, two mainline railways, and three or more industrial concentration areas in the next twenty years.”

Andre’s plan will further fully utilize Mombasa City’s port conditions, which are much stronger than Dar es Salaam City, with its harbor waters and complexity outmatching Dar es Salaam.

Thus, Andre proposes four key port areas; currently, Dar es Salaam Port has only developed the Mombasa Island, but in fact, aside from Mombasa Island, the north, west, and south parts of the harbor can be developed.

However, due to limited conditions in the Eastern Province, following Andre and Lorraine’s opinion, the priority is to develop the north and west coasts, thereby connecting with the two towns on the banks of the northern Mtwapa River, facilitating further development.