Dubai-headquartered DP World and Kenya-based GulfCap Africa have signed an agreement to move forward with the development of the Mombasa Industrial Park, a planned 222-hectare Special Economic Zone in Kenya. The agreement marks another step in DP World’s expansion across Africa. In this region, the company is increasingly combining logistics infrastructure with industrial development, trade facilitation and investment zones.
The project also carries a strong UAE connection. DP World is headquartered in Dubai. Kenya’s trade relationship with the Emirates has expanded through the UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Therefore, that gives the Mombasa development added relevance for UAE-based companies looking at East Africa as a manufacturing, logistics or distribution market.
Mombasa Industrial Park Will Cover 222 Hectares
The planned Mombasa Industrial Park will eventually cover around 222 hectares, with the first phase expected to span approximately 40 hectares. The development is being positioned as more than a conventional industrial estate. This is because it will bring manufacturing, logistics and access to international trade routes into one location.
That structure could make the zone attractive to companies that want to reduce the distance between production, storage and export operations. Mombasa already serves as one of East Africa’s most important logistics gateways. In addition, the addition of a large industrial zone could help expand the city’s role from a transit hub into a broader manufacturing and trade base.
More Than 60 Companies Have Already Shown Interest
Commercial interest has already started building around the project. More than 60 local and international companies have reportedly expressed interest in securing space within the Mombasa Industrial Park. This suggests that demand could develop well before the entire site is completed.
The zone is expected to attract foreign investment while also supporting local businesses. Kenyan suppliers, logistics providers, service companies and SMEs could benefit from the larger businesses that eventually establish operations inside the zone. That wider ecosystem could become one of the project’s most important economic effects.
Mombasa SEZ Could Support More Than 20,000 Jobs
Once fully developed, the Mombasa Industrial Park is expected to support more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. Employment opportunities could emerge across manufacturing, logistics, construction, transportation, professional services and other supporting industries linked to the zone.
The impact could stretch beyond the companies operating inside the development itself. Large industrial projects usually create demand for suppliers, contractors, maintenance providers and other service businesses. That could make the Mombasa SEZ an important source of wider economic activity for the region.
UAE-Kenya CEPA Strengthens the Trade Opportunity
The UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement adds another commercial layer to the development. Companies operating from the Mombasa SEZ could potentially benefit from Kenya’s growing trade connections with the UAE. At the same time, they can access wider African and international markets.
Kenya also participates in the African Continental Free Trade Area and maintains trade arrangements with other major markets. For manufacturers, that combination could create multiple export routes from one location. As a result, UAE companies looking to expand into East Africa may see the Mombasa project as a practical entry point for production, distribution or regional logistics.
DP World Expands Beyond Traditional Port Operations
DP World’s involvement reflects a broader shift in the company’s strategy. Instead of focusing only on ports and cargo handling, the Dubai-based group is increasingly building integrated trade ecosystems. These ecosystems combine logistics, industrial infrastructure and access to global markets.
The Mombasa Industrial Park fits that model closely. By linking manufacturing activity with transport and logistics infrastructure, DP World and GulfCap Africa aim to create an environment where companies can produce goods and move them to regional or international markets more efficiently.
Mombasa Could Become a Larger East African Trade Hub
Mombasa already plays a major role in East African trade because of its port and transport connections. The proposed industrial park could strengthen that position by bringing more manufacturing activity closer to the city’s logistics infrastructure.
Instead of goods simply passing through Mombasa, more products could eventually be manufactured, processed or assembled in the area before reaching regional and global markets. That could increase the value generated locally. Thus, it would make Mombasa more important to companies building supply chains across East Africa.
Why the Project Matters for UAE Businesses
For UAE companies, the project creates another possible bridge into the East African market. DP World’s involvement provides a familiar Dubai-linked operator, while the UAE-Kenya CEPA strengthens the trade relationship between the two countries.
Businesses based in UAE free zones or industrial areas may also recognize the model behind the development. The Mombasa project follows a similar approach by placing companies close to logistics infrastructure, supporting trade connectivity and building an ecosystem of services around industrial activity.
Mombasa Industrial Park Could Attract Long-Term Investment
The early interest from more than 60 companies gives the project a promising start. However, its longer-term importance will depend on how quickly infrastructure is completed and how many businesses eventually commit to the zone.
If the first phase succeeds in attracting manufacturers and exporters, later phases could expand the scale of the development significantly. The combination of DP World’s logistics network, GulfCap Africa’s local presence and Kenya’s growing trade relationships gives the project a strong platform for attracting additional investment.
A New UAE-Africa Trade Link Is Taking Shape
The Mombasa Industrial Park is another example of how UAE companies are expanding their role in African trade infrastructure. DP World is using its logistics experience to move deeper into industrial development. Meanwhile, Kenya is looking to strengthen manufacturing and improve access to international markets.
For Emirates Free Zone News readers, the project is especially relevant because it shows how the UAE’s trade and logistics model is being extended into other markets. As the first phase develops, Mombasa could become an increasingly important connection point between UAE investors, African manufacturers and global supply chains.
Sources
Government of Dubai Media Office:
https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/september/09-09/dp-world-and-gulfcap-africa-sign-agreement
DP World:
https://www.dpworld.com/
UAE Ministry of Economy – UAE-Kenya CEPA information:
https://www.moec.gov.ae/