Suleiman Shahbal secures US$100M DP World deal for Mombasa Special Economic Zone
The SEZ will cover 535 acres in Jomvu Sub-County, providing dedicated infrastructure for manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and export-oriented industries.
KENYA – Kenyan businessman Suleiman Shahbal has secured a Ksh12 billion (approx. US$ 100 million) investment agreement with global logistics leader DP World to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mombasa.
The project is expected to generate 7,972 direct jobs, while 67 companies have already confirmed plans to establish operations within the zone.
The investment is designed to attract manufacturers, exporters, logistics providers, technology firms and industrial businesses, strengthening Mombasa’s position as one of East Africa’s leading trade and investment gateways.
Two Decades of Planning Become Reality
The agreement marks the realization of a vision Shahbal has championed for more than 20 years. He first made the Special Economic Zone a central pillar of his development agenda in 2010 and has since engaged investors, government agencies and private-sector partners to advance the initiative.
The SEZ will cover 535 acres in Jomvu Sub-County, providing dedicated infrastructure for manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and export-oriented industries. The development is expected to accelerate industrial production, expand Kenya’s export capacity and attract new foreign direct investment.
Business Leaders See Economic Transformation
According to Aboud Jamal, chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Mombasa Chapter, the investment could reshape the Coast region’s economy.
“We fully support investments of this magnitude because they have the potential to transform our local economy. The SEZ will not only attract more investors but also create thousands of jobs, stimulate trade and position Mombasa as a leading regional logistics and manufacturing hub,” Jamal said.
Investor Profile and Regional Impact
Suleiman Shahbal is a Kenyan businessman and politician who serves as chairman of GulfCap Group of Companies, whose portfolio includes Gulf Bank and Gulf Real Estate.
In 2018, former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him chairman of the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), a role he held for three years.
Shahbal has consistently advocated for establishing a Special Economic Zone in Mombasa, describing it as a critical catalyst for unlocking the county’s industrial, logistics and commercial potential.
Moreover, the Mombasa investment further strengthens DP World’s African expansion while positioning Kenya as a more competitive logistics, manufacturing and export hub for regional and international markets.
Ultimately, the development is expected to transform the coastal region into a competitive centre for technological and commercial innovation.
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