Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) has secured $700 million in fresh funding to accelerate its expansion across Africa, in a transaction that brings Saudi Arabia’s Vision Invest into its shareholder group.
The capital raise, structured through a mix of primary and secondary components, ranks among the continent’s largest recent private infrastructure deals.
The proceeds are expected to fund new industrial platforms aimed at strengthening manufacturing capacity, improving logistics, and reducing the region’s reliance on imports.
Shareholding Expansion
With the transaction completed, Arise IIP’s shareholder base now includes Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Equitane, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) under Afreximbank, and Vision Invest as a new strategic partner.
The entry of Vision Invest marks its first direct investment on the continent, underscoring growing Middle Eastern interest in Africa’s industrial infrastructure.
Industrial Footprint
Since its establishment in 2010, Arise IIP has rolled out projects in more than 14 African countries, deploying close to $2 billion in capital and creating over 50,000 jobs. Its industrial platforms are designed to support local value addition by processing raw materials in-country rather than exporting them unprocessed.
Key projects include:
-
Nkok Special Economic Zone, Gabon – a timber and furniture processing hub.
-
Adétikopé Industrial Platform, Togo – an integrated logistics and agro-processing facility.
-
Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, Benin – focused on cotton, cashew, and other agro-processing value chains.
-
Remo Free Zone, Nigeria – under development with the Ogun State government and set to host what is expected to be the world’s largest garment factory beginning September 2025.
Strategic Impact
Gagan Gupta, Arise IIP’s founder and chief executive, said the raise will enable the company to scale its model of self-sustaining industrial ecosystems across more African markets.
From the investor side, Vision Invest Chairman Mohammad A. Abunayyan described the move as a natural extension of the company’s development philosophy, while CEO Omar N. Al-Midani pointed to Africa as a long-term strategic growth frontier.
Representatives of existing shareholders, including AFC and Afreximbank, also welcomed the transaction as reinforcement of Africa’s industrialisation agenda.
Advisers to the deal included Standard Chartered Bank and Norton Rose Fulbright for Arise IIP, with EFG Hermes and Linklaters representing Vision Invest.
The additional $700 million will strengthen Arise IIP’s balance sheet as it seeks to expand its pan-African industrial ecosystem model, positioning the company at the centre of the continent’s push for economic diversification and export-oriented growth.
