Alterra Capital, a private equity firm backed by American billionaire David Rubenstein and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has made a strategic investment in ARP Africa Travel Group—the parent company of Kenya’s iconic tour operator, Pollman’s Tours and Safaris. The deal was finalized in February as part of Alterra’s broader push to tap into Kenya’s thriving tourism sector.

Pollman’s, recognized as the oldest tour company in Kenya, is a major player in the country’s travel and safari industry. With this acquisition, Alterra aims to gain a foothold in one of Kenya’s most significant economic sectors.

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According to a statement by the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), the merger will not disrupt market dynamics or lead to dominance concerns, as the acquiring and target firms operate in distinct segments of the industry. “The market share of the merged entity will not change,” CAK confirmed, noting that the transaction will not affect the structure or concentration of the tour operator market, which currently includes over 300 players such as Bonfire Adventures and Bountiful Safaris.

Importantly, the regulator also determined that the acquisition would not result in job losses or adversely impact small businesses—two key public interest considerations under Kenyan merger regulations. The companies involved affirmed there would be no employment disruptions following the deal, as reported by Kenyan Wall Street.

Dangote Deepens Regional Investment Strategy

This move into Kenya aligns with Aliko Dangote’s ongoing efforts to expand his footprint across Africa. Most recently, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc launched a large-scale sugar processing facility in Ghana’s Bono East Region, targeting the country’s $162 million sugar import market. The state-of-the-art plant, situated in Kwame-Danso, will process 12,000 tons of sugarcane daily and be supported by a 25,000-hectare irrigated farm.

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Beyond refined sugar, the facility is expected to produce high-value byproducts such as molasses and ethanol, creating new opportunities in agro-processing and biofuels. The project also supports Ghana’s “One District, One Factory” policy aimed at driving nationwide industrialization.

Through ventures like these, Dangote continues to drive industrial transformation across the continent while reinforcing private-sector-led regional integration.