African governments and private developers have established special economic zones to accommodate manufacturing, export processing, logistics, technology businesses and industrial infrastructure.
Special economic zones operate under designated legal or administrative frameworks. Depending on the country, qualifying businesses may receive customs arrangements, tax provisions, simplified administrative procedures or access to dedicated infrastructure.
Some zones cover thousands of hectares and contain multiple industrial developments. Others specialize in particular sectors, including automotive manufacturing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and port logistics.
Investment figures associated with these projects require careful interpretation. The value of an entire industrial development is not necessarily the amount already invested. Announced commitments, individual factory investments and completed infrastructure expenditure are different financial measures.
The following 25 zones and industrial parks represent notable African investment locations, including operational developments and projects undergoing expansion.
1. Suez Canal Economic Zone, Egypt
The Suez Canal Economic Zone is one of Africa's largest industrial and logistics development areas.
Established in 2015, it covers approximately 455 square kilometres and incorporates industrial areas and ports near the Suez Canal.
The zone supports manufacturing, maritime logistics, energy projects and export-oriented industries.
Its development includes numerous separate investments rather than one fixed project expenditure.
2. Lekki Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Lekki Free Trade Zone is located in Lagos State and forms part of a major industrial development corridor.
The area includes manufacturing, logistics and other commercial investments.
The nearby Dangote Petroleum Refinery represents a separate multibillion-dollar industrial investment associated with the wider Lekki industrial area.
The refinery's cost should not be presented as the construction cost of the free trade zone itself.
3. Tatu City Special Economic Zone, Kenya
Tatu City is a mixed-use urban development and designated special economic zone near Nairobi.
The project incorporates industrial facilities, logistics parks, residential developments, schools and commercial properties.
In March 2025, developers announced the opening of the first phase of The Link Warehousing and Logistics Park, reporting an investment of KSh 2.5 billion.
That amount relates to the warehousing project, not the total investment across Tatu City.
4. Kigali Special Economic Zone, Rwanda
Kigali Special Economic Zone is one of Rwanda's principal industrial investment locations.
The zone was developed to provide serviced industrial land and infrastructure for manufacturing and other commercial activities.
Its businesses operate in sectors including construction materials, manufacturing and processing.
The development forms part of Rwanda's industrialisation and investment promotion programme.
5. Tanger Med Zones, Morocco
Tanger Med is a major Moroccan industrial and logistics platform connected to the Tanger Med port complex.
Its industrial zones accommodate automotive manufacturing, logistics, aerospace-related businesses and other export industries.
Companies operating within the wider industrial ecosystem include major international manufacturers and suppliers.
The platform's investment base consists of multiple industrial, port and commercial projects.
6. Atlantic Free Zone, Morocco
Atlantic Free Zone is an industrial development located near Kenitra, Morocco.
It is closely associated with the automotive manufacturing industry.
The area includes automotive component suppliers and industrial facilities connected to Morocco's vehicle production sector.
Its location supports export-oriented manufacturing and integration with national transport infrastructure.
7. Midparc Free Zone, Morocco
Midparc is an industrial zone near Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport.
It specialises in aerospace and related manufacturing activities.
The zone hosts companies involved in aircraft components, precision engineering and industrial services.
Its development is part of Morocco's wider aerospace manufacturing strategy.
8. Nkok Special Economic Zone, Gabon
Nkok Special Economic Zone is located near Libreville, Gabon.
It was developed to attract industrial investment, particularly in timber processing and manufacturing.
The zone includes factories processing wood into higher-value industrial products.
Its establishment was associated with Gabon's efforts to expand domestic processing rather than rely exclusively on raw timber exports.
9. Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, Benin
Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone, commonly known as GDIZ, is located near Cotonou.
It is designed to support industrial processing, particularly agricultural commodities.
Its industries include cotton textiles, cashew processing and other manufacturing activities.
The project involves industrial infrastructure, factories and logistics facilities serving export markets.
10. Arise IIP Industrial Platform, Togo
Togo's Adétikopé Industrial Platform is located near Lomé.
The development includes industrial infrastructure, logistics services and facilities supporting manufacturing and processing.
It is associated with ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.
Its location near the Port of Lomé provides access to international shipping routes.
11. Dawa Industrial Zone, Ghana
Dawa Industrial Zone is a major industrial development east of Accra.
It is associated with LMI Holdings and the development of serviced industrial infrastructure.
The project targets manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and related commercial activities.
Its development has been promoted as part of Ghana's wider industrial expansion.
12. Tema Export Processing Zone, Ghana
Tema Export Processing Zone is located near Ghana's major industrial port city.
The zone was established under Ghana's free zones programme.
It accommodates export-oriented manufacturing and commercial operations.
Its proximity to Tema Port supports international trade and industrial logistics.
13. Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone is located in Ogun State, Nigeria.
The zone was developed through Nigerian and Chinese investment cooperation.
Its industries include manufacturing, building materials and other industrial activities.
The development forms part of Nigeria's wider free trade zone programme.
14. Calabar Free Trade Zone, Nigeria
Calabar Free Trade Zone is located in Cross River State.
It was among Nigeria's early designated free trade zones.
The zone was established to attract export-oriented manufacturing and industrial investment.
Its commercial performance and occupancy have varied over time, making operational activity distinct from its original development plans.
15. Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Nigeria
Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone is located in Rivers State, Nigeria.
It serves businesses involved in petroleum industry logistics, engineering and related industrial services.
The zone is connected to port infrastructure supporting offshore and onshore energy operations.
Its commercial activities include equipment handling, storage and industrial support services.
16. Hawassa Industrial Park, Ethiopia
Hawassa Industrial Park was inaugurated in 2016.
It was developed as a major textile and garment manufacturing centre.
The park was originally associated with investment of approximately $250 million.
Its subsequent operations have been affected by changes in international trade conditions and the performance of Ethiopia's garment export sector.
17. Bole Lemi Industrial Park, Ethiopia
Bole Lemi Industrial Park is located near Addis Ababa.
It is one of Ethiopia's principal industrial park developments.
The park has hosted businesses involved in garments, textiles and export-oriented manufacturing.
Its development has included multiple phases of industrial construction and infrastructure investment.
18. Eastern Industry Zone, Ethiopia
Eastern Industry Zone is located near Dukem, southeast of Addis Ababa.
It is associated with Chinese industrial investment in Ethiopia.
The zone hosts manufacturing activities involving building materials, consumer goods and other industrial products.
It is one of Ethiopia's established privately developed industrial zones.
19. Kilinto Industrial Park, Ethiopia
Kilinto Industrial Park was developed near Addis Ababa.
It was designed with a focus on pharmaceutical manufacturing and related industries.
The park forms part of Ethiopia's industrial park development programme.
Its infrastructure was intended to support companies manufacturing pharmaceutical and healthcare-related products.
20. Athi River Export Processing Zone, Kenya
The Athi River Export Processing Zone is located in Machakos County near Nairobi.
It is one of Kenya's established export processing industrial locations.
Businesses operating in the area have included garment manufacturers and other export-oriented enterprises.
The zone operates under Kenya's export processing zone regulatory framework.
21. Naivasha Special Economic Zone, Kenya
Naivasha Special Economic Zone is located in Nakuru County.
The development is associated with industrial land, energy infrastructure and transport connections.
It has been promoted for manufacturing, logistics and other industrial investment.
Its location near geothermal energy infrastructure is one of its principal industrial characteristics.
22. Coega Special Economic Zone, South Africa
Coega Special Economic Zone is located near Gqeberha in South Africa's Eastern Cape.
It is one of the country's major industrial development zones.
The zone supports manufacturing, logistics, automotive-related activities and other industrial sectors.
It is connected to the Port of Ngqura, an important deep-water port development.
23. Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone, South Africa
Dube TradePort is located near King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu-Natal.
The zone focuses on logistics, manufacturing, aviation-related business and agricultural processing.
Its infrastructure includes industrial facilities and air cargo logistics capabilities.
The development is associated with South Africa's designated special economic zone programme.
24. East London Industrial Development Zone, South Africa
East London Industrial Development Zone is located in South Africa's Eastern Cape.
It supports manufacturing businesses, including companies connected to the automotive industry.
The zone provides industrial facilities and infrastructure for qualifying investors.
Its development has included public investment in industrial infrastructure and private investment in manufacturing operations.
25. Walvis Bay Export Processing Zone, Namibia
Walvis Bay is one of Namibia's principal maritime logistics centres.
The country's export processing zone arrangements historically supported qualifying manufacturing and export-oriented businesses.
Walvis Bay's industrial activities are closely connected to port logistics and regional trade.
Namibia's investment incentive framework has undergone changes, so historical EPZ designation should not be confused with an unchanged contemporary licensing regime.
Special Economic Zone Investment Across Africa
The 25 developments span North, West, East, Central and Southern Africa.
Egypt and Morocco have major industrial zones connected to international shipping and manufacturing networks.
Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Togo have developed zones associated with ports, manufacturing and commodity processing.
Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia have established industrial parks and special economic zones targeting manufacturing, logistics and technology-related investment.
South Africa's designated zones include major automotive, logistics and industrial manufacturing developments.
Their individual financial structures vary considerably, with some financed primarily through government infrastructure spending and others incorporating substantial private investment.
