Kenya’s construction market is set to deliver projects valued at roughly $26 billion – reported as KSh3.38 trillion by Construct Africa and KSh3.35 trillion by Capital Business – prompting heightened interest from overseas suppliers.
The pipeline represents 64.4 per cent of the identified construction value across East Africa, confirming Kenya as the region’s largest construction market by project worth.
The sector rebounded in 2025, expanding 6.8 per cent after a 0.7 per cent contraction in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026.
The ninth edition of the Big 5 Construct Kenya exhibition will showcase the pipeline from 21 to October 23 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
Organisers expect more than 150 exhibitors representing over 25 countries, with country pavilions for China, Egypt, Germany, Italy and Türkiye.
International participants include Liebherr, RIB Software, MC-Bauchemie, Ceramica Cleopatra and Silkcoat Paint Company, while Kenyan firms such as Kohler East Africa, Henkel Kenya, Wood Products Kenya, Elite Tools, King Tiles and Neuce Paints will also be present.
The event will cover twelve construction-related sectors, ranging from building materials and finishes to concrete, cement, construction equipment, digital construction, HVACR, mechanical-electrical-plumbing systems, intelligent buildings, modular construction and solar solutions.
A new Big 5 Impact Trail will highlight lower-impact and resource-efficient products, featuring companies like Knauf Gypsum Tanzania, National Paints Factories, ProNature and The Supreme Industries.
More than 25 conference sessions will address architecture, design, project management, technology, innovation, sustainability and contracting, with speakers from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the National Construction Authority, the Architectural Association of Kenya and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers.
“Kenya’s substantial project pipeline is creating demand for a broad range of products, expertise and specialist services,” said Josine Heijmans, senior vice-president at dmg events, the exhibition organiser.
Heijmans added that “across the three days, professionals will have the opportunity to see solutions first-hand, exchange knowledge with peers and have practical conversations around the projects and requirements driving the market.”
The exhibition is positioned as a platform for local contractors and developers to meet suppliers amid ongoing challenges such as high financing costs, rising input prices and project-delivery constraints.
