New 10K-Seat Arena Proposed in Nairobi, Kenya

Pan-African developer The Zaria Group announces plans for a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Nairobi to help kit out the city’s infrastructure.

Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, will be the home of a proposed $294 million, 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena at the Nairobi Railway City precinct. The project is headed by Pan-African investment firm The Zaria Group, co-founded by Dallas Mavericks President Masai Ujiri, and featuring such high-profile partners as Helios Sports & Entertainment Group.

The arena is designed to host sporting events, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and other entertainment and cultural programs. The site is positioned as a key component of the Railway City master plan, which aims to create a more connected, transit-oriented commercial district, according to the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed development. In addition to the proposed indoor arena, the site will also include serviced apartments, a hotel, and supporting infrastructure.

Helios Sports & Entertainment acquired a stake in The Zaria Group in 2023 as part of its broader investment strategy around African sports, entertainment, and lifestyle real estate. The model has already been successfully applied in Rwanda, where its portfolio includes the 10,000-capacity BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and Zaria Court Kigali.

The Nairobi development is expected to create around 3,500 direct construction jobs and 1,500 permanent operational positions, while generating as many as 25,000 temporary event-related jobs annually across hospitality, retail, and live production.

The news of the planned project arrives as Kenya increasingly sets its sights on sports and entertainment infrastructure as part of its overarching economic strategy. The local government is also developing Talanta Sports City and preparing the city for major regional events, such as the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The development in Africa arrives amid Live Nation’s revelation that 30% of the entertainment giant’s biggest tours are in languages other than English. To that end, the company has been focusing on expanding in South America and parts of Asia, signalling a shift in Live Nation’s “primary growth area,” according to CFO Joe Berchtold.

Berchtold noted that nearly two-thirds of the top 75 international city markets for touring lack sufficient venue infrastructure to meet the demands of the world’s biggest artists. However, this situation is set to change with the emergence of projects like the new arena in Nairobi, as well as Live Nation’s own developments abroad.