The Junction Mall and Thika Road Mall (TRM) in Nairobi are two of the city’s busiest commercial centres, hosting a wide range of retail, dining, and entertainment outlets. The business hubs are owned and managed by Actis, a London-based private equity firm that stands among the most prominent foreign investors in Kenya’s retail and real estate sectors.
Actis also developed Garden City Mall and the Nairobi Business Park, making it one of the most significant foreign investors in Kenya’s retail and real estate sectors.
Thika Road Mall (TRM)
TRM is among East Africa’s largest retail centres, offering more than 100 outlets including Carrefour, Miniso, LC Waikiki, Java House, ArtCaffé, EasyGym, HealthyU and several banking halls.
The mall provides a modern shopping environment with strong security, large parking areas, and a diverse retail mix. It also features a 10,000-square-foot conference facility suitable for exhibitions, corporate meetings, and social events.
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The mall was opened in 2013 and was the first mega shopping complex along the Thika superhighway targeting customers from the populous Roysambu, Zimmerman, Githurai, Kasarani, Kahawa and Ruaraka neighbourhoods.
The Junction Mall
Situated at the junction of Ngong Road, Naivasha Road, and King’ara Road, The Junction Mall offers 256,000 square feet of retail space and hosts more than 100 local and international stores. The mall features fashion outlets, a cinema, food courts, supermarkets, and children’s play areas.
It is one of the oldest shopping malls in Kenya whose first phase of construction was concluded in 2005. The mall’s second phase was concluded in 2013 and has grown into one of Nairobi’s most established shopping destinations, housing brands such as Carrefour, KFC, Galitos, Samsung, and Pizza Inn.
Mi Vida Homes
Actis has also been active in Kenya’s housing market through Mi Vida Homes, a residential platform established in 2018. On October 13, 2025, the Mi Vida management team acquired full ownership of the company from Actis and Indian conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji.
“Today, with a strong balance sheet, a diversified capital base, and a healthy pipeline of projects, we believe we are well-positioned to scale further and deepen our impact, as we lead the company into its next phase,” said Samuel Kariuki, CEO of Mi Vida Homes.
Mi Vida focuses on green, affordable, and mid-market housing, with completed and ongoing projects including KEZA Laika, KEZA Riruta, Amaiya Garden City, 237 Garden City, and Mi Vida Garden City. Both Actis and Mi Vida executives noted that the exit reflected the growing maturity and institutionalisation of Africa’s real estate sector.
Global reach of Actis
Founded in 2004 as a spin-out from the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), Actis has grown into a global multi-asset investment firm focused on private equity, real estate, energy, and sustainable infrastructure.
The company has raised US$25 billion since its inception and is a signatory to the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), consistently earning top ratings in its independent assessments.
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Actis employs more than 200 staff, including about 120 investment professionals, and operates from 16 to 19 offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. It is invested in approximately 70 companies that collectively employ over 114,000 people.
The firm has a long record of delivering large-scale sustainable infrastructure and real estate projects. Its portfolio of completed work includes Zuma Energia, Umeme, Lekela Power, Young City, Spring Energy, Songas, Octotel, NXT Infra, Nanjing Micro-Tech and Ikeja City Mall. It currently has 34 completed projects and 45 ongoing, covering energy, digital infrastructure, transport, manufacturing, and commercial real estate.
Acquisition by General Atlantic
On October 2, 2024, General Atlantic, a leading global growth investor, announced the completion of its acquisition of Actis. This strategic combination expanded General Atlantic’s diversified investment platform to approximately $97 billion in assets under management, based on June 30, 2024, valuations.
Under the new structure, Actis now operates as General Atlantic’s Sustainable Infrastructure business, working alongside the firm’s existing strategies in Growth Equity, Credit, and Climate. The partnership strengthens both firms’ commitment to sustainability and the global energy transition while offering investors a broader suite of investment solutions.
Actis continues to be led by Chairman and Senior Partner Torbjorn Caesar and retains complete independence over its investment decisions, with its funds operating under the Actis brand.
General Atlantic itself manages approximately $97 billion in assets across all strategies and has more than 900 professionals in 20 countries. Founded in 1980, it has backed more than 520 growth companies globally using a long-term capital approach supported by deep operational expertise.
Leadership
Actis’ leadership team includes individuals with extensive experience across global infrastructure, energy and real estate. Key executives include Chairman Torbjorn Caesar, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer Michael Harrington, and Managing Director & Head of Energy Infrastructure Lucy Heintz.
Others include Managing Director & Head of Long-Life Infrastructure, Adrian Mucalov; Global Head of Real Estate & Data Centres, Brian Chinappi; Mikael Karlsson; and David Morley (Vice Chairmen).
They are supported by specialists in sustainability, operations, legal affairs and investor relations, including Shami Nissan (Head of Sustainability), Nisha Raghavan (MD Actis Investment Management), Paul Owers (General Counsel) and Neda Vakilian (Capital Solutions).
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