• Arise IIP plans to invest more than $3 billion in Kenya over five years

• The company will develop three export-oriented industrial parks

• A dedicated $800 million financing facility will support incoming investors

Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Ltd plans to invest more than $3 billion in Kenya over the next five years, the company said, as it accelerates its expansion across Africa’s industrial ecosystem.

Several African countries have adopted special economic zones as a strategy to boost industrialization. Arise IIP has emerged as a key player in developing and operating such platforms across the continent.

According to details reported by Reuters, citing executive director Nikhil Gandhi, who oversees special economic zone development, the investment will fund the construction of three export-oriented industrial parks along Kenya’s coastline and in the Naivasha region.

Gandhi said the company will finance 30% to 40% of the total investment through equity in exchange for project stakes. He added that lenders, including development finance institutions and other creditors, will provide the remaining funding through debt.

“Actors will move value chains to this continent. Given Kenya’s position, I already see a real shift taking shape,” Gandhi said.

In parallel, Arise IIP plans to establish an $800 million financing facility in partnership with KCB Group and Afreximbank. The facility will support investors setting up operations in the zones once they become operational.

Strategic expansion

The Kenya initiative will further strengthen Arise IIP’s footprint in Africa. The company already operates the Gabon Special Economic Zone, the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in Benin, and the Adétikopé Industrial Platform in Togo.

Beyond these markets, Arise IIP is developing industrial platforms and special economic zones at various stages across Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Nigeria, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Rwanda, and Cameroon.

Over the past two years, the company has accelerated fundraising efforts to expand integrated industrial platforms across multiple African countries.

Arise IIP’s model focuses on building modern industrial zones that offer shared infrastructure, simplified customs and administrative processes, and optimized logistics connectivity to global markets.

The company counts among its shareholders the investment vehicle of FEDA, Africa Finance Corporation, and the Emirati group Equitane.

In May last year, African Development Bank invested $100 million in the company. This funding complemented a series of recent capital raises.

In March 2025, Arise IIP secured a $450 million facility from Afreximbank to support industrial park development in Nigeria, Chad, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Malawi.

Earlier, in October 2024, the company raised $443 million from its shareholders, strengthening its financial capacity to expand its industrial zone network across Africa.

According to the African Development Bank, Arise IIP hosts more than 400 companies across its industrial zones in Gabon, Benin, and Togo, spanning 47 sectors. These platforms have generated nearly 50,000 jobs and attracted more than $7 billion in investments from tenant companies.

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum