Vision Invest, a leading Saudi Arabian infrastructure investment firm, has made a significant entry into the African market by acquiring a stake in Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) through a $700 million capital infusion. This transaction ranks among the largest private infrastructure capital raises in Africa’s history, underscoring growing global investor confidence in the continent’s industrial potential.
Founded in 2010, Arise IIP specializes in developing integrated industrial ecosystems that promote sustainable economic growth across Africa. With initial operations in Gabon, the company has since expanded to over 14 countries, deploying nearly $2 billion in infrastructure investments to date. Its model focuses on building industrial parks that combine logistics, energy, and manufacturing capabilities to support local value chains and reduce reliance on imports.
The latest investment from Vision Invest adds to an already robust institutional shareholder base, which includes:
- Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) – a founding investor
- Equitane
- Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) – Afreximbank’s development impact vehicle
Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of Arise IIP, welcomed the partnership, stating:
Arise has always believed in Africa’s promise and the talent driving its growth. The partnership with Vision Invest and the continued support of our institutional shareholders will help us build resilient, self-sustaining industrial ecosystems that deliver long-term value.
The investment is expected to accelerate Arise IIP’s mission to create industrial platforms that foster job creation, local manufacturing, and economic diversification across the continent.
For Vision Invest, this marks its first direct investment on the African continent, aligning with its broader impact investment philosophy. Mohammad A. Abunayyan, Chairman of Vision Invest, commented:
This marks our first direct investment in Africa and a natural extension of our values and impact investment philosophy, which centres on the socio-economic development of the communities in which we invest. We are proud to partner with AFC, FEDA, and Equitane to support economic diversification and local development.
The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for cross-regional collaboration and position Arise IIP as a key player in Africa’s industrial transformation.
