Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote acquires Kenya’s Pollman’s Tours in $31M deal
Pollman’s was purchased through Africa Travel Investments, a Europe-incorporated entity that currently has no other operations in Kenya.
FRIDAY February 6, 2026
By Adam Ihucha
The Tranquillity News Correspondent, Nairobi, Kenya
It is now official. Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has deepened his presence in East Africa after acquiring Pollman’s Tours and Safaris, one of Kenya’s oldest tour operators, in a transaction valued at approximately $31 million.
The deal marks his second major investment in the country, following the acquisition of Java House.
Kenya’s Competition Authority (CAK) has approved the transaction, noting that it is unlikely to affect competition, employment, or the viability of smaller businesses within the tourism industry.
Pollman’s was purchased through Africa Travel Investments, a Europe-incorporated entity that currently has no other operations in Kenya.
Founded in the 1950s, Pollman’s has built a long-standing reputation in guided safaris and inbound tourism, working primarily with international travel agents and global tour operators.
Its longevity and strong brand recognition have made it a cornerstone of Kenya’s tourism ecosystem.
Regulators emphasized that the acquisition would not alter market dynamics in an industry described as highly decentralized, with more than 322 licensed tour operators nationwide, including firms such as Bonfire Adventures and Bountiful Safaris.
“Post-transaction, the market structure remains unchanged since the acquiring entity and the target do not operate in the same line of business,” the CAK said, adding that overall market concentration would remain stable.
The authority further determined that the deal raises no public interest concerns, confirming that it poses no risk to employment or to the competitiveness of smaller operators. Both parties stated that the transaction will not result in job losses.
The acquisition builds on a February investment by Alterra Capital—a private equity firm backed by David Rubenstein and Aliko Dangote—into ARP Africa Travel Group, Pollman’s parent company. Under the new ownership, Pollman’s is expected to expand its services while preserving its heritage, as investors seek to capitalize on Kenya’s tourism sector, one of the country’s largest foreign-exchange earners.
Dangote’s latest move aligns with his broader pan-African expansion strategy. Recently, his agro-industrial group entered Ghana with the launch of a large-scale sugar refinery in Kwame-Danso, Bono East Region. Funded by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, the project aims to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported sugar—currently valued at about $162 million annually—while supporting the government’s One District, One Factory industrialization programme.
Collectively, the Kenya and Ghana ventures highlight Dangote’s focus on strategic, cross-border investments in consumer-driven and industrial sectors, reinforcing his role as a leading force in Africa’s evolving investment landscapeΩ
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Adam Ihucha is a prominent Tanzanian journalist and author recognized for his extensive coverage of tourism, wildlife conservation, and economic issues in East Africa. Based in Arusha, he serves as a senior correspondent for The Tranquility News and is a long-time contributor to eTurboNews (eTN), where he provides global insights into Tanzania's travel industry.
Throughout his career, Ihucha has written for several major publications, including The Guardian (Tanzania) and The EastAfrican. His work frequently highlights the intersection of environmental conservation and economic development, covering critical topics such as anti-poaching initiatives, national park management, and regional trade within the East African Community. His journalism is noted for its advocacy for sustainable tourism and its role in documenting the achievements of Tanzania's tourism sector.
Email contact: ihucha@tranquilitynews.com
