- ARISE IIP Establishes Multi-Site SEZ Network in Kenya to Drive Industrial Transformation;
Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) has officially established its presence in Kenya through a network of world-class Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks in Kilifi, Mombasa, Naivasha, and Eldoret, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward industrial transformation and economic diversification.
The development of these flagship industrial zones represents a major investment in Kenya’s manufacturing sector, positioning the country 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) — while also tapping into preferential access to global markets through agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Speaking to top journalists and editors during a media breakfast held 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.”
Earlier in September, ARISE IIP launched its first project — the Vipingo Special Economic Zone (VSEZ), an 824-hectare industrial park in Kilifi County being developed in partnership with Centum Investment Company.
Next in line are 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 component of ARISE IIP’s operations in Kenya is the 21-year lease of Rivatex East Africa SEZ Limited in Eldoret — the country’s most prominent textile producer.
Announced in October, this partnership underscores Arise IIP’s commitment to revitalizing Kenya’s cotton, textile, and apparel (CTA) value chain, a sector with immense potential for employment 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 both upstream and downstream impact — from cotton farmers to spinners, weavers, garment makers, and accessory producers,” added Mr. Olaka.
The investment across the four industrial platforms is expected to unlock over USD 3 billion in blended industrial development, generating more than 100,000 direct jobs and at least 500,000 indirect jobs once fully operational.
ARISE IIP’s operations in Kenya are backed by a robust and innovative investor financing framework anchored on an $800 million joint facility by KCB Bank Kenya and Afreximbank.
This facility underscores the strong confidence of both local and international financiers in ARISE IIP’s industrialization model and provides critical, accessible capital for investors setting up operations within ARISE IIP’s industrial ecosystems across the country— including Vipingo, Dongo Kundu, and Naivasha.
“Given the scale of our projects, collaboration between government, the private sector, and development finance institutions is essential. Together, we can accelerate the shared goal of building a globally competitive, industrialized Africa,” said Mr. Olaka.
ARISE IIP currently operates 20 industrial platforms across 14 African countries, enabling the local transformation of Africa’s natural resources into finished products ready for regional and global markets.
