Masai Ujiri's Zaria Group Limited has signed a landmark long-term lease agreement with the Kenya Railways Corporation to develop an arena-anchored mixed-use district in central Nairobi. This development, witnessed by Kenyan President William Ruto, aims to position Kenya's capital as a regional hub for sports, entertainment, and cultural events. The project is expected to create over 25,000 jobs annually across various sectors including construction, operations, events, hospitality, and retail, and aligns with Kenya's national infrastructure priorities and the Nairobi Railway City master plan.
Zaria Group, co-founded by NBA champion Masai Ujiri, is an Africa-focused developer and operator of sports, entertainment, and cultural districts. The company's model has been demonstrated through its work in Kigali, Rwanda, where it manages Kigali Sports City, including the recently constructed BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium, and Zaria Court. High-profile partners, including Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, back Zaria Group.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is also involved in the initiative, partnering with Zaria Group to develop world-class sports and entertainment districts across Africa, with Nairobi being a flagship city. The IFC's involvement is expected to help mobilize financing and provide advisory support for the platform. This partnership aims to redefine Kenya's entertainment landscape and unlock thousands of jobs, with the Nairobi development alone projected to create approximately 3,500 construction jobs, 1,500 permanent jobs, and nearly 25,000 event-based employment opportunities.
