Nairobi to receive $294 million sports and entertainment hub

A $294 million private-sector investment is set to develop a multipurpose arena and entertainment district at Nairobi Railway City in Kenya. Led by Zaria Group and supported by Helios Sports & Entertainment Group and NBA executive Masai Ujiri, the project aims to establish Nairobi as a regional hub for sports, tourism, and business events.

The development will feature a five-storey, 10,000-seat indoor arena designed to host basketball tournaments, international concerts, cultural programs, and large-scale conferences. The site is part of the broader Nairobi Railway City urban renewal program, secured through a long-term lease with the Kenya Railways Corporation.

In addition to the arena, the integrated entertainment district will include a 140-key branded hotel, a 77-key serviced apartment tower, retail spaces, a public amphitheater, and approximately 1,700 parking bays. The project is expected to create roughly 3,500 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent operational positions, while potentially supporting up to 25,000 temporary event-related roles.