Kenyan pension schemes just secured a prime spot on Nairobi’s upscale Riverside Drive, promising retirees a slice of the lucrative commercial real estate pie.

The takeover of The Cube by Batian Property Fund—managed by GenAfrica Asset Managers—marks a pivotal shift in how retirement money is invested. It moves funds beyond the volatility of the stock market into tangible, institutional-grade assets designed to secure long-term value for workers.

Beyond Traditional Stocks

The acquisition from London Town Group’s Innova Properties, which received the green light from the Competition Authority in October, is more than a property transfer. It represents a deepening appetite among fund managers to diversify portfolios. As competition in Kenya’s pension market heats up, the race is on to find stable, yield-backed investments that can outpace inflation.

Timothy Mulondo, CEO of Batian Property Fund, emphasized that this deal is about raising the bar for asset quality available to local schemes.

“Through this acquisition, we continue to strengthen the bridge between institutional capital and productive real estate,” Mulondo asserted. “As we continue to scale, Batian remains focused on structured, transparent, and competitive-return investments, ensuring that every shilling entrusted to us works for the retirement security of Kenyan workers.”

A Strategic Play, Not an Exit

For the seller, Innova Properties, the deal is less about cashing out and more about strategic realignment within Nairobi's evolving property sector. Innova CEO Kavita Doshi framed the transaction as the start of a long-term relationship rather than a conclusion.

• Asset Class: Institutional-grade commercial real estate.
• Location: Riverside Drive, Nairobi (Prime commercial node).
• Strategic Goal: Sustainable, long-term returns for pensioners.

“This transaction is not an exit; it is the beginning of a strategic collaboration,” Doshi noted. “Kenya’s pension sector is evolving, and we believe the future lies in partnerships like this where innovation meets integrity.”

As the dust settles on the deal, the focus shifts to performance. For the Kenyan worker contributing monthly to a pension scheme, the acquisition of The Cube is a promise that their retirement savings are being anchored in concrete assets expected to weather economic storms.