Masai Ujiri’s Zaria Group has signed a long-term lease agreement with Kenya Railways Corporation to develop a major indoor arena and surrounding entertainment district in Nairobi, Kenya. The agreement, signed in the presence of President William Ruto, outlines plans for a mixed-use development in the city centre that will combine sports, entertainment, and commercial spaces. The project is expected to support more than 25,000 jobs annually across construction, operations, events, hospitality, and retail. Zaria Group will develop and operate the site under a long-term agreement aligned with the Nairobi Railway City master plan. The broader development will include hotels, retail outlets, and public spaces, with a strong focus on supporting Kenya’s growing creative industries. By activating strategically located land, the project aims to drive investment, create jobs, and deliver infrastructure that will serve generations. It also reinforces Kenya’s national infrastructure priorities while advancing the vision for Nairobi’s urban transformation. The development will anchor the designated MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) hub, helping to modernize the central business district and improve connectivity, mobility, and economic productivity. Zaria Group, an Africa-focused developer and operator of sports, entertainment, and cultural districts, will lead both the development and long-term operation of the project. The company’s arena-led urban development model has already been demonstrated in Kigali through its management of BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and the Zaria Court district, and is now being scaled across key African markets. “We believe that investing in sports and entertainment infrastructure in Kenya is critical to the nation’s future—just as important as ports and airports in driving economic growth,” said Zaria Group co-founder Ujiri. “This project is about building platforms that unlock talent, create opportunity, and connect Africa to the global stage. It is a model we aim to replicate across the continent.” Beyond the arena, the district will feature hospitality, retail, public spaces, and cultural venues designed to operate as a 24/7 economic engine. It is also expected to catalyze Kenya’s creative sector by providing world-class infrastructure for artists, athletes, promoters, and entrepreneurs. The project underscores a broader strategic shift: positioning sports and entertainment as essential economic infrastructure capable of generating sustained employment, attracting global events, and driving urban regeneration.
