The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein speaks about this. Rebels on the moon list it as a demand from the Earthside governments to build a mass driver

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein speaks about this. Rebels on the moon list it as a demand from the Earthside governments to build a mass driver to lower costs of shipping and make moonside life more equitable. They even list a couple of ideal locations including I believe Kenya.