Glacier secures US$8.5M investment to drive dairy innovation

KENYA – Glacier Products Limited has charted a new course in Kenya’s dairy industry, backed by a strategic €8 million investment from the Belgian Development Finance Institution (BIO).

This infusion of capital marks a turning point for the Nairobi-based company, enabling it to accelerate its expansion and deepen its commitment to value-added dairy innovation.

The funding is being channelled into scaling Glacier’s production capabilities, modernising its facilities, and launching new product lines tailored to the evolving tastes and nutritional priorities of Kenyan consumers.

The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders including Glacier Director Sunil Shah, BIO Chief Investment Officer Carole Maman, Belgian Ambassador Peter Maddens, and BIO Regional Manager Nada Shall.

Their presence underscored the strategic importance of the partnership, which aligns with BIO’s mission to support sustainable private sector growth in developing markets.

Glacier Products Limited to expand operations to Tilisi

Recently, the company announced plans to expand its operations to Tilisi, a mixed-use, master-planned development in Limuru, Kenya.

In a LinkedIn post, the company announced that it acquired land and began constructing a new office space in Tilisi, signifying Glacier Products’ continued commitment to growth and better serving its clients.

“Our current location in the Industrial Area has served us well, but these new offices will provide us with the space and resources we need to take Dairyland to the next level,” the post stated.

“We’re excited about this expansion’s opportunities and look forward to welcoming you to our new home soon.”

Glacier Products was founded in 1979 as an ice cream manufacturer and was acquired by its current owners in 1995.

The company’s turnover is approximately US$10 million. It produces mass-market ice cream, tablet chocolate (including cooking chocolate), chocolate spread, and whipping cream.

Additionally, Glacier Products has a licensing agreement with Warner Bros for branded ice creams featuring Warner Bros characters. The company entered the chocolate market in 2015 with a factory in Kikuyu, northwest of Nairobi.

Dairyland-branded products are distributed in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.

In a previous interview, the company noted that the Kenyan ice cream market is promising, with more than ten other ice cream makers operating in Nairobi and Mombasa.

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