ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), a pan-African developer and operator of world-class integrated industrial zones, has officially established its presence in Kenya. The company is developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks in Kilifi, Mombasa, Naivasha, and Eldoret, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey toward industrial transformation and economic diversification.
The development of these flagship zones represents a major investment in the country’s manufacturing sector, positioning Kenya as a competitive hub for trade, production, and export within the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The zones will also leverage preferential access to global markets through agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Speaking during a media breakfast in Nairobi, George Olaka, CEO of ARISE IIP Kenya, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s development agenda.
“Kenya is the gateway to East Africa and beyond, with a strong policy framework and a conducive environment for industrialization. Through our integrated industrial platforms, we aim to attract both local and foreign investment while providing manufacturers with the infrastructure and ecosystem they need to compete globally,” he said.
ARISE IIP launched its first Kenyan project in September: the Vipingo Special Economic Zone, an 824-hectare industrial park in Kilifi County developed in collaboration with Centum Investment Company. Upcoming projects include the Coast Integrated Industrial Park within the Dongo Kundu SEZ (Mombasa) and the Great Rift Industrial Park within the Naivasha SEZ (Nakuru), both being developed in partnership with the Government of Kenya and Afreximbank.
Another key development is ARISE IIP’s 21-year lease of Rivatex East Africa SEZ Limited in Eldoret, Kenya’s leading textile producer. Announced in October, the partnership underscores the company’s commitment to revitalizing Kenya’s cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) value chain—an industry with significant potential for job creation and export growth.
“Developing our cotton and apparel value chain means creating jobs, stabilizing the country’s foreign exchange position, and expanding the tax base. Through our 21-year lease of Rivatex, we are building a comprehensive textile hub with upstream and downstream impact—from cotton farmers to spinners, weavers, garment makers, and accessory manufacturers,” Mr. Olaka added.
Investments across the four industrial platforms are expected to unlock over USD 3 billion in industrial development, generating more than 100,000 direct jobs and at least 500,000 indirect jobs once fully operational.
The company’s operations in Kenya are supported by a robust investor financing framework anchored on an $800 million joint facility by KCB Bank Kenya and Afreximbank. This facility demonstrates strong confidence from both local and international financiers in ARISE IIP’s industrialization model, while also providing accessible capital for investors establishing operations within the company’s industrial ecosystems.
“Given the scale of our projects, collaboration between government, the private sector, and development finance institutions is crucial. Together, we can accelerate our shared goal of building a globally competitive, industrialized Africa,” Mr. Olaka noted.
ARISE IIP currently operates 20 industrial platforms across 14 African countries, transforming natural resources into finished products for regional and global markets.
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