Gagan Gupta
{{Short description|Indian businessman}}
{{Infobox person/Wikidata
| image=File:Gagan Gupta en 2024.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|05|10}}{{cite web |url= https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/lPwdUeOm-mhoCGraB6wg_fBp1ds/appointments |title= Gagan GUPTA |last= |first= |date= |website= Find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}
| birth_place = Rajasthan, India
| education = All India Rank (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India)
| known_for = Co-creator and CEO of Arise P&L, Arise IIP, Arise IS
| title = CEO
}}
Gagan Gupta (born May 10, 1975) is an Indian businessman and investor specializing in industrial development, infrastructure, mining, energy, logistics and sustainable investment in Africa. He is the founder and CEO of Arise, a leading pan-African infrastructure and logistics group operating in thirteen countries.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-21 |title=Gagan Gupta, le tycoon indien qui veut industrialiser l’Afrique de l’Ouest |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/gagan-gupta-le-tycoon-indien-qui-veut-industrialiser-l-afrique-de-l-ouest-20210621 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=LEFIGARO |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Gagan Gupta sort le grand jeu – Jeune Afrique |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1192009/economie/du-gabon-au-togo-gagan-gupta-sort-le-grand-jeu/ |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |last=Gabon |first=Le Nouveau |title=Gagan Gupta, PDG Arise Holding : l’architecte bâtisseur |url=https://www.lenouveaugabon.com/fr/trombinoscope/1609-15778-gagan-gupta-pdg-arise-holding-l-architecte-batisseur |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=www.lenouveaugabon.com |language=fr-fr}}{{Cite web |title=ARISE P&L GABON LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12005889 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}
Beyond his role at Arise, he is founder and president of Equitane, a capital investment firm managing $4 billion in assets, and of Spiro, Africa's leading electric mobility company.
Early life and education
Gagan Gupta was born on May 10, 1975, in Rajasthan, India.{{Cite web |title=Gagan GUPTA |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/lPwdUeOm-mhoCGraB6wg_fBp1ds/appointments |access-date=7 January 2021 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=En}} He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and earned an All India Rank from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Gagan GUPTA Président, OLAM INTERNATIONAL LTD |url=https://events-export.businessfrance.fr/gabon2019/gagan-gupta/ |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=businessfrance.fr |language=fr}}.{{Cite web |title=Gagan Gupta |url=https://www.fidelity.co.in/about-us/gagan-gupta/ |access-date=28 October 2022 |website=www.fidelity.co.in}}{{Cite web |date=2021-06-21 |title=Gagan Gupta, le tycoon indien qui veut industrialiser l’Afrique de l’Ouest |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/gagan-gupta-le-tycoon-indien-qui-veut-industrialiser-l-afrique-de-l-ouest-20210621 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}}
Career
= Early career =
Gagan Gupta began his career as a chartered accountant and management controller in the finance departments of Reebok and Reckitt Benckiser in India.{{Cite web |title=Arise : VIP, conseillers, nouveaux alliés… La galaxie de Gagan Gupta - Jeune Afrique.com |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1391641/economie-entreprises/arise-vip-conseillers-nouveaux-allies-la-galaxie-de-gagan-gupta/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}}
In 2008, he joined Olam International Limited, where he was appointed head of the company's Gabonese operations.
In 2010, he was successively appointed Country Manager, Group Operations Director in Central Africa, and Business Development Director at Olam International.{{Cite web |date=5 March 2019 |title=Gagan Gupta promu PDG d’Olam Afrique avec résidence à Libreville |url=https://gabonactu.com/gagan-gupta-promu-pdg-dolam-afrique-residence-a-libreville/ |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=gabonactu.com |language=fr}}. In the same year, he initiated a public-private partnerships (PPPs) with the Gabonese government, implementing major projects to accelerate industrialization and infrastructure development. These PPPs include three main sectors :
- Agriculture: The creation of Africa's largest virgin palm oil plantation (60,000 ha) and one of the world's largest rubber plantations (10,000 ha).{{Cite web |date=7 August 2018 |title=Infrastructures : le tour de force gabonais de Gagan Gupta |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/610578/economie/infrastructures-le-tour-de-force-gabonais-de-gagan-gupta/ |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=jeuneafrique.com |language=fr}}.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-12 |title=Gabon : Bongo inaugure la plus grande usine d’huile de palme du continent |url=https://afrique.latribune.fr/finances/investissement/2017-04-12/gabon-bongo-inaugure-la-plus-grande-usine-d-huile-de-palme-du-continent.html |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=La Tribune |language=fr}}
- Industrial development: The establishment of the Nkok Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) in Gabon, Africa's first carbon-neutral industrial hub.{{Cite web |date=15 June 2022 |title=Comment des filières d'industries de transformation se structurent en Afrique |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/industrie-lourde/comment-des-filieres-dindustries-de-transformation-se-structurent-en-afrique-1413500 |access-date=7 October 2022 |website=lesechos.fr |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Rédaction |date=2021-09-28 |title=GSEZ, pionnière africaine de la neutralité carbone |url=https://www.financialafrik.com/2021/09/28/gsez-pionniere-africaine-de-la-neutralite-carbone/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Financial Afrik |language=fr-FR}}
- Logistics infrastructure: The creation of the Owendo mineral port, the new Owendo international port and the redevelopment of Libreville international airport.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2020 |title=Gagan Gupta, PDG Arise Holding : l’architecte bâtisseur |url=https://www.lenouveaugabon.com/fr/trombinoscope/1609-15778-gagan-gupta-pdg-arise-holding-l-architecte-batisseur. |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=lenouveaugabon.com |language=fr}}.
= Founding of Arise =
In 2018, Gagan Gupta founded Arise,{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Gagan Gupta Managing Director and CEO, Infrastructure and Logistics |url=https://www.olamgroup.com/about-olam/executive-committees/gagan-gupta.html |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=olamgroup.com |language=fr}}. a company specializing in the development of integrated industrial platforms, ports and large-scale infrastructure across Africa.{{Cite web |date=15 September 2020 |title=Arise bientôt dans la cour des grands ? |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1021972/economie/arise-bientot-dans-la-cour-des-grands/ |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=jeuneafrique.com |language=fr}}.{{Cite web |date=2 June 2022 |title=Arise IIP débarque au Congo avec deux projets dans ses valises |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1351253/economie/arise-iip-debarque-au-congo-avec-deux-projets-dans-ses-valises/ |access-date=9 October 2022 |website=jeuneafrique.com |language=fr}}.
Arise is structured into three divisions :
- Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (IIP) is developing industrial parks in several African countries. Among its projects underway in 2025 is a $150 million industrial park in Malawi.{{Cite web |last=First |first=Togo |title=De nouveaux financements d’ARISE IIP pour la PIA, suite à un appui de 450 millions $ d’Afreximbank |url=https://www.togofirst.com/fr/investissement/0703-15884-de-nouveaux-financements-d-arise-iip-pour-la-pia-suite-a-un-appui-de-450-millions-d-afreximbank |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=www.togofirst.com |language=fr-fr}} The project is expected to create 132,000 direct jobs and 26,000 indirect jobs.{{Cite web |title=Après le Togo et le Bénin, Arise IIP étend son modèle en Afrique de l’Est - Jeune Afrique.com |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1542094/economie-entreprises/apres-le-togo-et-le-benin-arise-iip-etend-son-modele-en-afrique-de-lest/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}}
- Arise Ports & Logistics (P&L) specializes in port logistics operations. Its shareholders include A.P. Moller Capital (42.28%), Olam International and Africa Finance Corporation.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-28 |title=A.P. Moller Capital acquires 43% of Arise Ports & Logistics for $250m - Africa Business+ |url=https://www.africabusinessplus.com/en/802613/a-p-moller-capital-prend-43-darise-ports-logistics-afc-grimpe-a-26-olam-reduit-a-31/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=africabusinessplus.com |language=en}}
- Arise Infrastructure Services (IS) specializes in all other infrastructures.{{Cite web |date=18 February 2020 |title=AP Moller Capital va investir 600 millions de dollars sur le continent |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/896588/economie/le-logisticien-ap-moller-capital-va-investir-600-millions-de-dollars-sur-le-continent/ |access-date=9 December 2020 |website=jeuneafrique.com |language=fr}}.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-02 |title=Le groupe ARISE s’offre la gestion des activités de GSEZ |url=https://directinfosgabon.com/le-groupe-arise-soffre-la-gestion-des-activites-de-gsez/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Direct Infos Gabon |language=fr-FR}}
In February 2021, Olam International entered into definitive agreements with Africa Transformation and Industrialization Fund, an Abu Dhabi-based investment fund established by Arise employees. The two companies closed the sale of Olam
In October 2024, Arise IIP raises $443 million to finance its expansion, including $300 million from the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development branch of Afreximbank and $143 million from Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). With this round of financing, Arise IIP's total capital exceeds one billion dollars.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Fred |date=2024-10-03 |title=ARISE IIP Secures $443 Million Capital Raise from Afreximbank’s FEDA and AFC to Boost Industrial Expansion in Africa |url=https://empowerafrica.com/arise-iip-secures-443-million-capital-raise-from-afreximbanks-feda-and-afc-to-boost-industrial-expansion-in-africa/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Empower Africa |language=en-US}}
In 2025, Arise is established Ivory Coast,{{Cite web |date=24 November 2020 |title=ZONE INDUSTRIELLE D’AKOUPE-ZEUDJI : L’AGEDI ET ARISE IVOIRE SIGNENT LE PV DE MISE A DISPOSITION DE 329 HA |url=https://www.gouv.ci/_actualite-article.php?recordID=11773 |access-date=21 October 2022}} Sierra Leone, Togo{{Cite web |title=ARISE IIP launches Togo's first integrated industrial zone |url=https://www.republicoftogo.com/toutes-les-rubriques/in-english/arise-iip-launches-togo-s-first-integrated-industrial-zone |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=République Togolaise |language=fr-FR}} Bénin,{{Cite web |last=Savana |first=Albert |date=2021-03-04 |title=Bénin: Les promesses de Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone |url=https://www.financialafrik.com/2021/03/04/benin-les-promesses-de-glo-djigbe-industrial-zone/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Financial Afrik |language=fr-FR}} Nigéria,{{Cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Ogun, foreign investor sign $400m MoU on Olokola FTZ |url=https://punchng.com/ogun-foreign-investor-sign-400m-mou-on-olokola-ftz/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} Gabon, Tchad, Congo,{{Cite web |title=Le modèle togolais appliqué au Congo |url=https://www.republicoftogo.com/toutes-les-rubriques/eco-finance/le-modele-togolais-applique-au-congo |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=République Togolaise |language=fr-FR}} Democratic Republic of the Congo,{{Cite web |last=Kinshasa |first=Rédaction |date=2022-09-16 |title=RDC : Vers la création d'une Zone économique spéciale dénommée " Kin-Malebo " |url=https://www.politico.cd/la-rdc-a-la-une/2022/09/16/rdc-vers-la-creation-dune-zone-economique-speciale-denommee-kin-malebo.html/115763/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Politico.cd |language=fr-FR}} Senegal,{{Cite web |title=Gagan Gupta (Arise) : " Le moment est venu d’accélérer l’industrialisation de l’Afrique " – Jeune Afrique |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1356743/economie/gagan-gupta-arise-le-moment-est-venu-daccelerer-lindustrialisation-de-lafrique/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}} Rwanda,{{Cite web |last=IPP |first=ARISE |title=ARISE IIP signe avec le Rwanda pour le développement d'une zone industrielle dans le district de Bugesera |url=https://www.agenceecofin.com/investissements-publics/0809-101003-arise-iip-signe-avec-le-rwanda-pour-le-developpement-dune-zone-industrielle-dans-le-district-de-bugesera |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Agence Ecofin |language=fr-fr}} Cameroon, Kenya and Malawi.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-22 |title=Africa : Gagan Gupta, master of the customised industrial zone - 18/02/2025 |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/the-continent/2025/02/18/gagan-gupta-master-of-the-customised-industrial-zone,110376636-eve |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Africa Intelligence |language=en}} The company has developed a model enabling African countries to make their raw materials production more profitable through targeted investments.{{Cite web |last=staff |first=Milken Institute |date=2021-03-22 |title=Interview with Gagan Gupta |url=https://covid19africawatch.org/gagan-gupta-mobilizing-infrastructure-and-supply-chains-to-enhance-trade-and-investment-in-africa/ |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=COVID-19 Africa Watch |language=en-US}} By reducing the export of raw materials from Africa to Asia and other regions in favor of local processing, Arise is helping to reduce carbon emissions, shorten supply chains and reorganize national logistics infrastructures.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-02 |title=How will West Africa benefit from a shift in textile industry supply chains? |url=https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/how-will-west-africa-benefit-shift-textile-industry-supply-chains |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Oxford Business Group |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=Focus on sustainability in African textile value chains |url=https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/focus-sustainability-african-textile-value-chains |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Oxford Business Group |language=en}}
= Expansion and diversification =
== Creation of Equitane ==
In 2024, Gagan Gupta renamed the Africa Transformation and Industrialization Fund (ATIF) into Equitane, a multi-sector investment conglomerate dedicated to sustainable industrialization and economic transformation in Africa. Unlike conventional investment funds, Equitane operates as a permanent capital investment structure, focusing on long-term development over short-term returns. Equitane operates in 14 countries.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Equitane : Gagan Gupta lance sa nouvelle structure d’investissement en Afrique - Africa Business+ |url=https://www.africabusinessplus.com/fr/819493/equitane-gagan-gupta-lance-sa-nouvelle-structure-dinvestissement-en-afrique/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=africabusinessplus.com |language=fr}}
The fund comprises five main activities:
- Infrastructure: Equitane owns 24.08% of Arise IIP, supporting the expansion of industrial and logistics hubs across Africa.
- Green mobility: The company owns Spiro, Africa's largest electric mobility company, pioneering sustainable transport solutions.{{Cite web |title=Dubai’s Equitane seeks African leadership in manufacturing, renewable energy |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/348834/dubais-equitane-seeks-african-leadership-in-manufacturing-renewable-energy/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en}}
- Manufacturing: Equitane holds investments in agro-processing (cotton, sugar), pharmaceuticals and ceramics, with projects designed to enhance Africa's local industrial capacity.
- Mining: Equitane holds a minority stake in the Belinga iron ore project in Gabon, to promote resource transformation and industrial integration.
- Finance: A $50 million investment fund to promote African entrepreneurship, with a long-term goal of expanding access to capital markets.
In March 2025, Equitane acquired a 9.7% stake in Zanaga Iron Ore Company, operator of the Zanaga iron ore project in the Republic of Congo. This $21.5 million transaction saw the withdrawal of Glencore, until then the majority shareholder (43.17%), which had been inactive on the project. The Zanaga site, located in the Lékoumou region, contains an estimated reserve of 2.1 billion tonnes of iron ore. The operation also provides an opportunity to relaunch economic studies and to consider the formation of a consortium to build key infrastructure, including a 300km railroad line linking the deposit to the port of Pointe-Noire.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-03 |title=Gagan Gupta, Mark Cutifani et Mick Davis aident Glencore à sortir du fer de Zanaga - Africa Business+ |url=https://www.africabusinessplus.com/fr/823188/gagan-gupta-mark-cutifani-et-mick-davis-aident-glencore-a-sortir-du-fer-de-zanaga/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=africabusinessplus.com |language=fr}}
== Entrepreneurship in sustainable development ==
With Equitane (formerly the ATIF fund), Gagan Gupta created the electric vehicle startup Spiro,{{Cite web |title=Qu’est-ce qui fait courir Spiro, décidé à essaimer sur le continent ? - Jeune Afrique.com |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1474448/economie-entreprises/quest-ce-qui-fait-courir-spiro-decide-a-essaimer-sur-le-continent/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}} specializing in electric motorcycles and battery-changing infrastructure. By 2025, Spiro is operating in six African countries: Togo, Benin, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.{{Cite web |title=BasiGo, SolarTaxi, Spiro: The African startups driving the electric vehicle revolution |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/375251/basigo-solartaxi-spiro-the-african-startups-driving-the-electric-vehicle-revolution/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Oluwole |first=Victor |date=2024-06-05 |title=Exclusive: SPIRO CEO discusses the economic implications of electric bikes in Africa |url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/the-economic-implication-of-electric-bikes-in-africa/p3jm5wn |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Business Insider Africa |language=en}}
Equitane is also behind Solen, a company focused on solar energy and electricity storage in Gabon, Benin, Togo and Chad. Solen operates 50 MW of active projects and is developing a further 300 MW. Solen is an independent power producer. It operates Ayémé Solar Power Station.{{Cite web |last=dit |first=Iwo keumbou crispo |date=2022-03-02 |title=Gabon : Une Centrale solaire de 120 MW en gestation à Ayeme Plaine |url=https://www.gabonreview.com/gabon-une-centrale-solaire-de-120-mw-en-gestation-a-ayeme-plaine/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Gabonreview.com {{!}} Actualité du Gabon {{!}} |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Le Français Solen va construire une centrale solaire photovoltaïque de 120 MW à Ayemé Plaine |url=https://directinfosgabon.com/le-francais-solen-va-construire-une-centrale-solaire-photovoltaique-de-120-mw-a-ayeme-plaine/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Direct Infos Gabon |language=fr-FR}}
Gagan Gupta also founded the African Trade and Distribution Company (ATDC) to boost intra-African trade.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-21 |title=Commerce intra-africain : Gagan Gupta (Arise) veut lancer l’African Trade and Distribution Company avec un capital de 611 milliards de Fcfa |url=https://ecomatin.net/commerce-intra-africain-gagan-gupta-arise-veut-lancer-lafrican-trade-and-distribution-company-avec-un-capital-de-611-milliards-de-fcfa |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=EcoMatin |language=fr}}
In 2021, Arise acquires 35% of Aera Group, which operates in the carbon credits market.{{Cite web |last=Savana |first=Albert |date=2021-03-02 |title=Finance carbone : ARISE IS entre au capital d’AERA Group |url=https://www.financialafrik.com/2021/03/02/finance-carbone-arise-is-entre-au-capital-daera-group/ |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Financial Afrik |language=fr-FR}}
In 2023, Arise IIP acquires a 17.6% stake in Crystalchain, a French company specializing in supply chain transparency via blockchain.{{Cite web |last=First |first=Togo |title=Togo: Arise IIP acquires stake in Tracking specialist Crystalchain to better track carbon emissions |url=https://www.togofirst.com/en/logistics/0910-12678-togo-arise-iip-acquires-stake-in-tracking-specialist-crystalchain-to-better-track-carbon-emissions |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=www.togofirst.com |language=en-gb}}
Private life
Gagan Gupta is married with two children.
He played a key role in the creation of the Gabon Marathon, by making Olam the first official sponsor of this competition.{{Cite web |date=30 September 2015 |title=À J-60 du Marathon du Gabon : L’engagement reconfirmé d’Olam |url=https://www.gabonreview.com/a-j-60-du-marathon-du-gabon-lengagement-reconfirme-dolam/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=gabonreview.com |language=Fr}}. In 2023, the race gathered 14,000 runners.{{Cite web |last=IVEMBI |first=Sydney |date=2023-12-15 |title=Marathon du Gabon 2023 : le champion Kenyan Daniel Yator veut réitérer son exploit de l’année dernière - |url=https://gabonactu.com/blog/2023/12/15/marathon-du-gabon-2023-le-champion-kenyan-daniel-yator-veut-reiterer-son-exploit-de-lannee-derniere/#:~:text=Plus%20de%2014%20000%20coureurs,lutte%20contre%20les%20cancers%20f%C3%A9minins. |access-date=2025-03-22 |language=fr-FR}}
Awards
Gagan Gupta was named vice president of the Giants Club as a reward fostering sustainable and environmentally friendly industrialization, as well as the establishment of Africa's first carbon-neutral special economic zone (GSEZ). The Giants Club supports African governments in the protection of their natural resources, and promotes economic development.{{Cite web |date=9 February 2022 |title=We must unlock sustainable value to protect biodiversity, people and planet |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/campaigns/giantsclub/protect-biodiversity-people-and-planet-b2011219.html |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=independent.co.uk |language=En}}.{{Cite web |date=17 February 2022 |title=Gagan Gupta matérialise son engagement pour le développement durable |url=https://www.conjonctureseconomiques.net/2022/02/17/gagan-gupta-materialise-son-engagement-pour-le-developpement-durable/ |access-date=11 October 2022 |website=conjonctureseconomiques.net |language=Fr}}.
References
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