NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi Gate Industrial Park SEZ has announced the groundbreaking of its fifth phase, marking a significant $7 million investment aimed at bolstering Kenya’s light manufacturing industries including agro-processing, Textile and apparel sectors, while expanding the park’s Customs-Controlled Area (CCA).
This new phase will include 130,000 square feet of modular warehouse units designed to accommodate both local and international businesses, enhancing the park’s capacity to meet the growing demands of industries including pharmaceutical, third party logistics, exporters, importers, distribution, and textile and apparel businesses.
These companies are poised to benefit from the financial and operational advantages provided by the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) framework, which streamlines customs processes and offers significant tax incentives.
The Mara phase builds on the success of Phase 4, which was launched last year in November 2023 by Hon. Abubakar Hassan.
Since its launch, Phase 4 has achieved a 90% occupancy rate. Of the 17 businesses operating within Nairobi Gate, 8 are SEZ enterprises benefiting from both the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered under the SEZ program
“Improvon has always believed in the potential of the Kenyan market,” said Dean Shillaw, Managing Director of Nairobi Gate Industrial Park.
“We are excited to continue our journey with this investment, which further positions Nairobi Gate as a key industrial hub not just for Kenya, but for the entire region.”
Spanning 103 acres along Nairobi’s Eastern Bypass, Nairobi Gate has developed approximately 23% of its site to date.
The park currently offers over 550,000 square feet of international-grade warehousing and logistics facilities, serving sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, FMCG, cold-chain storage, SEZ businesses, exporters, and humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross.
This development has already generated 434 permanent jobs, contributing significantly to local employment.
“To date, Nairobi Gate represents a $40 million investment with a projected total of $160 million by 2040,” Shillaw added.
“This is a testament to Improvon’s commitment to industrial growth across sub-Saharan Africa. Our facilities have the potential to reshape how businesses operate within SEZs and provide critical support for the region’s economic development.”
Developed by Impact North, a collaboration between the South African property investment group Improvon and private equity investor Actis, Nairobi Gate Industrial Park is positioned to play a crucial role in Kenya’s manufacturing and logistics sectors, attracting further foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly for bulk infrastructure projects.
Nairobi Gate’s proximity to key logistics hubs, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Inland Container Depot (ICD), and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), makes it a prime location for businesses engaged in cross-border trade.
The SEZ designation offers tenants numerous financial and non-financial benefits, including corporate tax rate reductions (from 10% to 30%), zero-rated VAT, reduced withholding taxes, preferential import duties, excise duty exemptions, investment deduction allowances and recent preferential power tariffs
As part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the broader goals of AfCFTA, Nairobi Gate Industrial Park provides the infrastructure that enables businesses to thrive in both regional and global markets.
With available land and capital, the park will also cater to the growing demand for dedicated and sustainable textile parks, specifically designed for businesses operating within SEZs.
