President Ruto at Vipingo Ridge for VSEZ
The Arise IIP–Kenya Investment Forum 2025, hosted at Vipingo Ridge, came to a close on 16th September, marking two days of high-level discussions. The event included landmark announcements and strategic commitments that reaffirmed Kenya and Africa’s position as a rising hub for industrial growth, blended financing, and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development.
Laying of the Foundation Stone at the new Vipingo Special Economic Zone
H.E. Hon. William Ruto, PhD., C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya arrived in Kilifi County, where he officiated the Laying of the Foundation Stone for the Vipingo Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
This historic ceremony marked the official start of the 2,000-acre project and underscored the government’s commitment to positioning Vipingo as a catalyst for industrialization, trade, and job creation.
Projected to attract nearly $3 billion in investment and generate over 30,000 direct jobs, the Vipingo SEZ is set to become one of Kenya’s most transformative industrial hubs.
The President’s visit also spotlighted Kilifi’s dual potential as a gateway for industrial investors and as a thriving tourism and lifestyle destination.
Just minutes from the SEZ, Vipingo Ridge has already established itself as a premier coastal haven, featuring Africa’s only PGA-accredited championship golf course, luxury residences, and eco-conscious amenities. For investors, this combination of industrial ambition and lifestyle value in the adjacent amenities positions Kilifi as one of Kenya’s most promising frontiers for sustainable investment.
Compelling Finance and Investment discussions
Day Two included an interesting panel on Financing Infrastructure and Manufacturing Projects through Long-Term Capital from Commercial Banks and DFIs. Panelists highlighted the central role of blended finance and long-term capital in accelerating Africa’s industrial transformation. The discussion was moderated by Mohammed Nyaoga, EBS, SC, Former Chair of the Central Bank of Kenya, who guided a rich exchange on unlocking private and public capital to fast-track industrialization across the continent. The panel included Bank Executives and key members of the Arise IIP international team.
The Presidential Roundtable
Following the morning panel and deal room sessions, attention turned to the Presidential Roundtable on Financing Africa’s Free Zone Transformation. This high-level plenary brought together heads of state, global DFIs, and private sector leaders to deliberate on innovative financing solutions for scaling the next generation of African free zones.
Key participants included:
H.E. Hon. William Ruto, PhD., C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President & Chairman, Afreximbank
Prof. Carlos Lopes, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance
Gagan Gupta, Founder & CEO, Arise IIP
Admassu Tadesse, Group President & MD, Trade Development Bank Group
The session, chaired by Mr. Amadou Hott, Former Special Envoy of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), underscored the need for catalytic financing, blended capital solutions, and robust partnerships to unlock Africa’s free zone potential. Driving Africa’s Industrial and Free Zone Transformation
President Ruto’s Vision for SEZs
In his address, President Ruto highlighted that Kenya’s SEZs are not just parcels of land but strategic assets designed to remove historical barriers to investment. He noted that Kenya is uniquely positioned as the gateway to East Africa and the AfCFTA, a market of 1.4 billion people, offering investors access to one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer and producer hubs.
He emphasized Kenya’s educated, tech-savvy workforce, vast natural resources, and renewable energy capacity 93% of the country’s power comes from clean sources such as geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar. He further stressed that SEZs are built to resolve infrastructure gaps, reduce bureaucracy, and cut energy costs by at least 30%, making them globally competitive investment platforms.
“This collective strategy,” President Ruto said, “is about moving beyond exporting raw materials to value addition here in Africa creating millions of jobs and securing our rightful place in the global economy.”
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, echoed these sentiments, thanking President Ruto and Afreximbank leadership for their commitment to Africa’s industrial future. He emphasized that “no country develops by accident,” noting that industrialization requires deliberate thought and clear strategy.
Reflecting on Africa’s colonial legacy, he stressed that the continent must shift away from being seen only as a source of raw goods. Kinyanjui lauded the President for championing industrialization and concluded by thanking investors for their faith in Kenya and Africa.
Watch the headline coverage of the event on Citizen TV:
Commitments and Partnerships
A major highlight of the forum was the signing of a US$300 million Support Finance Facility for SEZ Ecosystems, a partnership between Afreximbank and KCB. This facility will directly support the financing of industrial parks and SEZ infrastructure, reinforcing investor confidence in Africa’s industrial future.
From the foundation stone at Vipingo SEZ to the roundtable engagements with Prof. Benedict Oramah, Prof. Carlos Lopes, Gagan Gupta, and Admassu Tadesse, Day Two reflected the depth of commitment and collaboration needed to redefine Africa’s industrial and economic trajectory.
The Arise IIP–Kenya Investment Forum 2025 has established itself as a transformative platform, catalysing investment, partnerships, and dialogue that will shape Africa’s industrialization journey for decades to come. Vipingo Ridge is proud to be a part of this growing investment community, a key supporting amenity for our new neighbours in the VSEZ.
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