DP World has signed an agreement with GulfCap Africa to develop the Mombasa Industrial Park, a planned Special Economic Zone designed to combine manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and regional logistics services near Kenya’s largest seaport.
The development will occupy 222 hectares less than 20 kilometres from the Port of Mombasa and will be constructed in phases. Its first phase will cover 40 hectares, creating serviced space for industrial and logistics businesses seeking access to Kenyan, regional and international markets.
The investment value and construction timetable have not been officially disclosed. The agreement also remains subject to the completion of formal documentation and other conditions before development proceeds.
Key Overview
- DP World and GulfCap Africa will jointly develop the Mombasa Industrial Park.
- The proposed Special Economic Zone will cover 222 hectares.
- The first development phase will span 40 hectares.
- The site will be located less than 20 kilometres from the Port of Mombasa.
- The park will target manufacturers, logistics companies, distributors and export-oriented businesses.
- DP World expects the project to attract investment, strengthen supply chains and create thousands of employment opportunities.
New Industrial Park Connects Production and Logistics
The agreement to develop the industrial park brings together DP World’s international logistics capabilities and GulfCap Africa’s local investment and development experience.
Unlike a conventional warehouse development, the project is intended to integrate manufacturing, storage, distribution and access to international shipping routes within one industrial ecosystem. Companies operating in the park could therefore manufacture or process products near the port before distributing them across Kenya, neighbouring countries or global markets.
The project will be developed in phases, beginning with 40 hectares. The partners have not yet disclosed which industries will enter the first phase, the expected completion date or the total capital required.
According to details of the agreement, the project remains subject to conditions precedent and the completion of formal documentation. This means the announcement establishes the partnership and development intention, but additional approvals and commercial steps are still required.
Port Proximity Strengthens Regional Market Access
The park’s location near the Port of Mombasa is central to its commercial proposition. The port provides direct connectivity to more than 80 ports and serves a regional hinterland that includes Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Tanzania.
Locating industrial facilities close to the port can reduce the time and cost involved in moving imported inputs to factories and transporting finished products to export terminals. It can also support time-sensitive activities such as food processing, cold-chain logistics, pharmaceutical distribution and e-commerce fulfilment.
For landlocked East African markets, the development could serve as an additional consolidation and distribution point along the Northern Corridor. Manufacturers could use the site to receive inputs, undertake value addition, store products and coordinate onward transportation from a single location.
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Special Economic Zone Status Could Attract Investors
Kenya’s Special Economic Zone framework allows approved developers and enterprises to operate under economic, administrative and tax rules designed to encourage investment.
The country’s SEZ administrative support includes a one-stop shop that assists investors with operating licences, work permits, tax registration, utility connections and import-export procedures. Fiscal incentives can also include tax and customs benefits, depending on the company’s licence and qualifying activities.
These measures could help the Mombasa Industrial Park compete for manufacturers and regional distribution businesses that might otherwise establish operations in alternative ports or industrial centres.
However, the project’s ability to attract tenants will also depend on the quality and cost of electricity, water, transport connections, security, customs services and serviced industrial space.
Deal Expands DP World’s Kenyan Logistics Strategy
The industrial park extends DP World’s presence in Kenya beyond freight and digital trade services. In 2025, the company launched a digital Port Community System in Mombasa in collaboration with EMEA Port Logistics, the Kenya Ports Authority and the Kenyan government.
The platform was introduced to improve cargo visibility, coordinate port users and support faster clearance and cargo movement. DP World also entered a separate customs digitalisation partnership involving Kenya’s eCitizen platform.
The planned industrial park adds a physical infrastructure layer to this strategy. It would allow DP World to connect digital customs systems and logistics services with warehousing, manufacturing and distribution facilities near the port.
DP World Group CEO Yuvraj Narayan said the project reflects the company’s approach of connecting ports, logistics and industrial ecosystems. Mohammed Akoojee, the company’s CEO and managing director for Africa, said it is expected to strengthen supply-chain connectivity, attract investment and generate thousands of employment opportunities.
Execution Will Determine the Project’s Impact
The agreement gives Kenya a potentially important industrial and trade development, but the project remains at an early stage.
Key milestones will include completing the formal agreement, securing all necessary approvals, preparing the site, financing the development and attracting anchor tenants. The partners will also need to clarify the construction schedule, investment value, infrastructure plan and expected employment numbers.
If implemented successfully, the Mombasa Industrial Park could help Kenya capture more value from cargo moving through its main port. Instead of functioning mainly as a transit gateway, Mombasa could host more processing, manufacturing, packaging and distribution activity linked to East African trade.
Sources: Emirates News Agency / Business Daily Africa / Kenya Ports Authority / Special Economic Zones Authority / DP World
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