AfDB Invests $100M in Arise IIP to Boost Africa’s Industrial Zones
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a landmark investment of US$100 million in Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Ltd (Arise IIP), a move expected to accelerate industrialization across the continent through the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.
The funding will support Arise IIP’s efforts to expand its footprint beyond Gabon, Benin, and Togo, where its industrial zones have already generated more than 50,000 jobs and attracted over 400 companies from 47 sectors—including wood, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
The investment aligns with AfDB’s broader goal of strengthening agricultural value chains and enabling Africa to add value to its raw commodities such as timber, cashew, cotton, and cocoa.
“There is economic and social value to be added to African-grown commodities when they are processed locally,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. “This partnership allows us to foster private sector-led agro-industrialization that lifts rural economies and creates meaningful employment.”
The investment also represents a strategic collaboration with leading African financial institutions such as the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the equity investment arm of Afreximbank—both principal shareholders in Arise IIP.
Solomon Quaynor, AfDB’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialization, emphasized the broader impact: “This demonstrates our commitment to building competitive value chains across Africa and creating an enabling environment for sustainable, industrial growth.”
Gagan Gupta, CEO of Arise IIP, welcomed the backing from AfDB, stating, “Their confidence in our model strengthens our resolve to continue transforming local value chains and driving Africa’s industrial future.”
The $100 million injection will provide essential infrastructure—such as developed industrial land, shared utilities, and export connectivity—to agro-industrial tenants. These zones are expected to reduce the carbon footprint of trade flows and improve Africa’s position in global and intra-continental trade.
