Amsons Group is betting big on Kenya’s future, with the Tanzanian conglomerate signalling plans to expand its investments as demand for infrastructure continues to rise.
The company’s chief executive, Edha Nahdi, said Kenya offers strong growth potential, pointing to both ongoing construction needs and the availability of skilled labour.
“Kenya remains a market with significant demand for infrastructure development, supported by a highly skilled workforce,” Nahdi said.
He was speaking during the Tanzania–Kenya Business Forum attended by William Ruto and Samia Suluhu Hassan, where business leaders from both countries met to explore trade and investment opportunities.
Nahdi said Amsons has already seen steady returns from its operations in Kenya and is now looking to grow even further.
“Our operations in Kenya have delivered sustained growth, and we are keen to deepen our footprint in the region,” he added.
Amsons, which was founded in Tanzania in the early 2000s, has grown into a major regional player with interests in cement, transport, energy, logistics and manufacturing. The group employs more than 10,000 people and operates across several African countries.
Bamburi takeover
Its push into Kenya has largely been driven by the cement sector, which is closely linked to infrastructure projects such as roads, housing and industrial parks. In 2024, the company made a bold move by launching a bid to take over Bamburi Cement, one of the country’s oldest and largest cement producers.
The deal, valued at about $180 million (around Ksh 23 billion), involved an offer to buy all shares in Bamburi at Ksh 65 each. At the time, Bamburi was majority owned by global firm Holcim and listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Amsons went on to secure overwhelming control of the company after the takeover closed in December 2024, eventually pushing its ownership to more than 96 per cent and moving toward a full buyout of remaining shareholders.
The acquisition marked a major shift in Kenya’s cement industry, placing a Tanzanian firm at the centre of one of the country’s key manufacturing sectors. It also strengthened Amsons’ position in East Africa, where it already owns cement plants in Tanzania and has been expanding its production capacity.
Regulators across the region, including the COMESA Competition Commission, approved the deal, clearing the way for Amsons to integrate Bamburi into its wider operations.
Analysts say the move reflects a broader trend of growing cross-border investments between Kenya and Tanzania, especially in industries tied to infrastructure and industrialisation.
Nahdi’s latest remarks suggest the company is not stopping with cement. With Kenya continuing to invest in roads, housing and manufacturing, Amsons is positioning itself to tap into multiple sectors as it builds a stronger regional footprint.
The renewed commitment highlights deepening economic ties between the two countries, as firms increasingly look beyond their borders for growth opportunities in East Africa.
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