Nairobi Gate Industrial Park, a special economic zone on Nairobi’s Eastern Bypass, has won the Best New Industrial, Logistics or Alternative Asset award at the 2026 Africa Property Investment (API) Awards. The award was presented on 17 September 2026 at the 10th edition of the API Awards, the centerpiece of the 17th annual API Summit at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The event drew more than 600 real estate, hospitality, and capital leaders from across the continent.
Developed by Improvon and Actis, the park has become a customs-controlled SEZ, setting a new benchmark for industrial development in the region. It also marks the second time Nairobi Gate has been crowned at the API Awards, having taken the Best Industrial Development title at the 2021 ceremony, which was held virtually during the pandemic. The park was also a finalist in the Industrial, Logistics & Alternative Assets category at the 9th API Awards in 2025.
From Vision to Reality: Nairobi Gate’s Eight-Year Journey
The project began in 2018 with a KES11 billion investment, aiming to bring grade-A warehousing to Nairobi. Actis bought the 103-acre site in the Northlands precinct off the Eastern Bypass and funded the development, while Improvon brought more than two decades of experience in building and managing logistics parks in South Africa and Zambia. Improvon CEO Stefano Contardo envisioned a “build-to-suit” concept, offering flexible, high-quality space. The park’s strategic location connects it to major transport hubs, avoiding Nairobi’s congested city center.
Phase 1, which included the bulk infrastructure and the first two warehouses of between 5,000m² and 10,000m², was commissioned and handed over in October 2020, in the middle of Covid-19. Since then, Nairobi Gate has grown to 50,000m² of industrial space, with 36 tenants, including American Express and Ecolab. It is about 80% occupied, with roughly 65% of tenants being international businesses.
A Regulatory Turning Point
Nairobi Gate’s unique selling point is its customs-controlled area (CCA), operational since 2023. This allows tenants to defer duties until goods enter the domestic market, providing cash-flow savings and flexibility. The park consolidates various regulators, streamlining processes for importers and exporters. About 40% of the park now operates within the customs boundary.
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The CCA’s implementation took five years, highlighting the importance of regulatory certainty for investors. Nairobi Gate MD Dean Shillaw emphasizes that tax incentives alone are insufficient, and Kenya’s SEZ legislation is ahead of South Africa’s. He told Business Day that Kenya’s SEZ space was “about 10 years ahead of South Africa’s,” arguing that the real difference lies in legislation and in making systems work on the ground. This is a pointed message as National Treasury proposes reforms to the SEZ tax regime, including making the preferential 15% corporate tax rate accessible to more operators.
The park’s green credentials are equally impressive. Its warehouses are the first in Kenya to achieve Green Star and EDGE certifications, using 30% less energy and 33% less water than conventional buildings.
With much of the 103-acre site still to be developed, there is significant runway ahead.
A Milestone in African Logistics
The API Awards, judged by industry experts, are a prestigious recognition for real estate and hospitality development in Africa. Nairobi Gate’s win in the industrial category is a sign of its growth and impact. Since its launch, the park has transformed Kenya’s logistics environment, encouraging firms to migrate to better locations and consolidate operations for efficiency.
A Model for African Investment
With ongoing expansion and support from funding partners like Rand Merchant Bank, Nairobi Gate is well-positioned for future growth. As of October 2024, Actis operates under General Atlantic’s sustainable infrastructure business, ensuring continued support for Nairobi Gate’s long-term success.
