Nairobi, Kenya — Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, has entered Kenya’s tourism industry with a high-profile investment in Pollman’s Tours and Safaris, the country’s oldest and most iconic tour operator.
The acquisition was made through Alterra Capital, a private equity firm backed jointly by Dangote and American billionaire David Rubenstein, marking a bold move into one of Kenya’s most vital economic sectors.
The investment is part of a broader stake in ARP Africa Travel Group, which owns Pollman’s. The deal, finalized in February 2025, signals growing investor confidence in East Africa’s booming travel and hospitality market.
No Market Disruption, Jobs Safe – Kenyan Regulator Confirms
Following a review of the transaction, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) announced that the acquisition would have no adverse effect on market competition, employment, or small businesses.
“The market share of the merged entity will remain unchanged, as neither party previously competed in the same space,” CAK stated. “The tour operator market remains highly diversified, with over 300 companies actively operating, including Bonfire Adventures and Bountiful Safaris.”
The regulator also emphasized that no job losses are expected from the acquisition, ensuring that public interest safeguards — a key factor under Kenya’s merger regulations — have been fully upheld.
Dangote’s Pan-African Expansion Continues
This latest venture into Kenya adds to Dangote’s growing portfolio across the continent. Recently, the billionaire launched a massive sugar refinery project in Ghana, located in Kwame-Danso, Bono East Region. Funded by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, the facility is part of Ghana’s “One District, One Factory” industrial initiative.
The Ghana plant will process up to 12,000 tons of sugarcane daily, backed by a 25,000-hectare irrigated plantation. It is expected to produce refined sugar, molasses, and ethanol, tapping into Ghana’s $162 million annual sugar import market while advancing opportunities in biofuels and agro-processing.
A Legacy of Continental Reach
From petroleum exports to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and North America through his new oil refinery, to Dangote Cement’s operations across 10 African countries — including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, and more — Dangote’s latest foray into tourism reflects his ongoing commitment to deepening African economic integration.
The Pollman’s acquisition is more than a business transaction; it’s a strategic signal that Africa’s tourism sector is ripe for international investment, and that visionary African entrepreneurs are leading the charge.
