Sports CS Salim Mvurya, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and President William Ruto at the groundbreaking of
the Vipingo Special Economic Zone in Kilifi county on Tuesday /SUE NYAMASEGE /PCS
President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s ambition to become Africa’s industrial powerhouse with the launch of the Vipingo Special Economic Zone in Kilifi.
The 2,000-acre mega project is expected to draw more than $3 billion (Sh390 billion) in investments, the President said.
During the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, the President said the development will generate over 35,000 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly, positioning the Coast region and the country as hubs for industrial growth.
“We are investing in special economic zones as engines of growth to fast-track industrialisation, attract global investors and create wealth for our people,” Ruto said.
He highlighted Kenya’s assets, including 38 special economic zones, 111 export processing zones, reliable green energy, a youthful workforce and rich natural resources for value addition.
These, he said, position the country as the gateway to Africa’s 1.4 billion-strong continental free trade market.
He noted that bold reforms, predictable policies, competitive incentives and modern infrastructure underpin Kenya’s bid to remain the region’s top investment hub.
The President said the government is positioning Kenya not only as Africa’s premier investment destination, but also as a global hub of choice.
"As Kenya and Africa, we must cast aside the smallness of vision. We must raise our ambition to rival the very best in the world within our lifetime," he said during the Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Kenya Investment Forum 2025 at Vipingo Ridge.
The forum brought together investors, policymakers, financial institutions and industry leaders with the shared mission of unlocking opportunities through special economic zones.
They agreed that these special vehicles of manufacturing and production are the central engines for driving Kenya and Africa's industrialisation and investment agenda.
The President announced that investment packages in textiles and apparel, e-mobility and Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) will be unveiled to investors next week.
These will create opportunities, increase incomes and boost exports.
"Together, they form a blueprint for building end-to-end value chain ecosystems that create jobs, raise incomes, strengthen food security and position our counties as net exporters," he said.
Ruto applauded Arise IIP and Centum for spearheading the Vipingo SEZ, noting their wider investments in Dongo Kundu and Naivasha, alongside Vision Invest’s $700 million (Sh91 billion) commitment, as proof of investor confidence in Kenya.
During the event, he also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry and China’s Linglong Group to establish an advanced auto spare parts industrial park in Kenya.
Afreximbank president and chairman, Benedict Oramah, endorsed the initiative, saying SEZs are key to unlocking Kenya’s industrial potential.
Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro also addressed the forum, echoing the government’s call for bold, transformative investments.
Instant Analysis
The launch of the Vipingo Special Economic Zone underlines Kenya’s aggressive push towards industrialisation and its positioning of itself as Africa’s investment hub. By targeting $3 billion in investments and creating over 35,000 jobs, the project signals a deliberate shift from reliance on imports to building value-chain ecosystems that drive exports.
