AYV News, October 13, 2023
ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) is leading a groundbreaking transformation of the Sierra Leone Industrial Zone (SIZ) in Koya chiefdom, Port Loko district.
This monumental infrastructural development project, initiated in May this year, signifies a substantial leap toward realising President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for Sierra Leone’s industrialisation.
The project is a result of a pioneering Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between ARISE and the Government of Sierra Leone, officially launched by President Bio on April 26, 2023.
The project promises to inject a significant boost into Sierra Leone’s economy by generating over five thousand jobs and facilitating the development of a world-class industrial ecosystem.
This investment will integrate the Rail and Ports corridor, thereby unlocking Sierra Leone’s industrial potential.
ARISE IIP, renowned for spearheading cutting-edge industrial ecosystems across Africa, has committed an impressive USD 120 million to the development of SIZ-Koya (Sierra Leone Industrial Zones) as part of Phase 1.
This initial phase, spanning 150 hectares, includes the establishment of 16 production units, with a primary focus on import substitution industries. The private investment anticipated during this phase stands at a remarkable $165 million, resulting in the creation of 2,500 direct jobs.
Phase 2 of the SIZ-Koya Project will expand the zone to encompass 350 hectares, housing 37 production units. Similar to Phase 1, this stage will prioritize import substitution industries and the local processing of raw materials into high-value-added products.
An estimated $140 million investment will attract an additional 6,500 jobs to the region.
The integrated industrial zone at SIZ-Koya is designed to host companies specializing in various sectors, including agro-industry, timber processing, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods manufacturing, electric vehicle manufacturing, cement and tile manufacturing, and more.
Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of ARISE IIP, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to building a sustainable future, stating, “ARISE IIP is committed to creating job opportunities, empowering local communities, and promoting economic growth through industrial development. Our partnership with the Republic of Sierra Leone underscores our commitment to making a positive impact in Africa.”
He further commented, “Through the SIZ-Koya project, we aim to establish world-class industrial infrastructure that will attract local and international investors to the region. We are confident that this integrated infrastructure will not only lead to job creation but also contribute broadly to Sierra Leone’s industrialisation in a sustainable and responsible manner.”
ARISE IIP has demonstrated remarkable expansion across over a dozen African countries, consistently catalyzing industrial growth and job creation. In Gabon, for example, the company’s management of the Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) has resulted in the creation of 16,000 jobs, attracted 120 investors, and transformed Gabon into the world’s second-largest veneer producer and exporter, and the first in Africa.
ARISE IIP’s primary focus remains the establishment of industrial ecosystems dedicated to generating significant local added value alongside sustainable growth. Their presence extends to Benin (GDIZ), Togo (PIA), Gabon (GSEZ), Côte d’Ivoire (ZIC), and more, where they are actively working to assist countries in transitioning to industrial economies while minimising carbon emissions and climate impact.
