The expo provides Kenyan contractors and suppliers with opportunities to connect to global supply chainsGlobal 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.
