The expo provides Kenyan contractors and suppliers with opportunities to connect to global supply chains
Global
construction and infrastructure companies are eyeing a piece of Kenya’s $20
billion (Sh2.6 trillion) construction market with the latest technology and
construction equipment showcase in Nairobi.
The companies are
in Nairobi to explore opportunities in real estate, infrastructure, and
sustainable construction across East Africa.
Titled the Big 5
Construct Kenya 2025 Expo, the three-day event, organized by DMG Events, attracted
over 150 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, who are seeking to capitalise the
renewed expansion of Kenya’s construction market.
The convergence comes
at a time that Kenya’s construction industry is on a rebound, recording a 5.7
per cent year-on-year growth in the second quarter of the 2025.
The expansion reversed
a 3.7 percent contraction over the same period last year.
The upturn signals
renewed activity in both public and private sector projects following months of
subdued growth.
DMG Events Senior
Vice President Josine Heijmans said the expo serves as a key meeting point for
industry players
“We are very
pleased to be back with another strong edition of the Big 5 Construct Kenya. The
show has demonstrated steady growth, which reflects Kenya’s expanding
construction sector. We’re seeing a great mix of local and international
stakeholders, and the event offers not just access to products, but also to
best practices and industry knowledge,” said Heijmans.
He added that about
70 per cent of exhibitors are international, while 30 per cent represent local
firms.
The expo provides
Kenyan contractors and suppliers with opportunities to connect to global supply
chains, gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and scale their operations
regionally.
The event features
a series of professional development sessions dubbed “Big 5 Talks,” focusing on
sustainability, project management, architecture and design, and new
construction technologies.
DMG Events is
working closely with local associations such as the Kenya Green Building
Society, the Architects Association of Kenya, and the Project Management
Institute to enhance industry standards and skills.
Among the
exhibitors is Al-Baddad International Group, a Dubai-based company specializing
in aluminum and steel structures, prefabricated buildings and tensile sheds.
The firm is one of
the largest manufacturers of modular and fast-track building solutions in the
Middle East.
Speaking at the
expo, Waleed Daher, the company’s Global Business Development Manager and Deputy
Sales Director, said Nairobi marks a strategic step in its plan to expand
across Africa.
“We came to
Nairobi to explore opportunities and assess the market,” he said. “Our company
has worked with several Kenyan clients who directly purchased from us, but now
we are adopting a different approach. We recently signed a representative
agreement with a local partner and are looking to establish a stronger presence
in Kenya and the wider African region.”
Also participating
in the exhibition is Ningbo Quandong Plastic, a Chinese manufacturer showcasing
a range of solar-powered and LED lighting products designed for both decorative
and practical use.
The company’s Sales
Manager, Kathleen Zhang, said the fair offers a platform to introduce their
products to a broader audience in Kenya.
“Our main products
include LED decorative fireplaces, humidifiers, solar-powered flashlights, and
camping lamps. We already have customers in Kenya who order regularly, usually
about 500 pieces per shipment. This is our first time attending the Nairobi
fair, and we are exploring the possibility of setting up a local office in the
future,” Zhang explained.
Zhang noted that
demand for solar-powered lighting in Kenya remains steady, particularly among
retailers catering to households and outdoor enthusiasts seeking affordable,
energy-efficient products.