In a landmark deal for African infrastructure, Saudi Arabia’s Vision Invest has committed $700 million to acquire a significant stake in Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), marking the firm’s first direct investment on the continent. The transaction stands among the largest private capital raises in Africa’s industrial sector, signalling growing investor confidence in the region’s capacity for large-scale, sustainable industrialisation.
Founded in 2010, Arise IIP develops integrated industrial ecosystems designed to stimulate inclusive economic growth. Beginning in Gabon, the company has expanded operations to more than 14 African countries, deploying nearly $2 billion in infrastructure to date. Its model integrates logistics, energy, and manufacturing within industrial parks, helping to strengthen local value chains, reduce import dependency, and accelerate diversification.
The $700 million injection from Vision Invest adds to an already influential group of institutional shareholders, which include:
-
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) – a founding investor
-
Equitane
-
Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development arm of Afreximbank
Giving details of the landmark deal, founder and CEO of Arise IIP, Gagan Gupta, said, “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”, he added.
For Vision Invest, this move is not just financial but strategic. It aligns with the firm’s impact investment philosophy, which focuses on socio-economic development and long-term sustainability.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Vision Invest, Mohammad Abunayyan, noted, “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”, he added.
With this partnership, Arise IIP is expected to scale up its efforts to foster industrialisation, create jobs, and expand local manufacturing across Africa. The deal also strengthens cross-regional collaboration between the Middle East and Africa, positioning Arise IIP as a central player in the continent’s industrial transformation.
About the Author
