Kenya’s construction industry recorded a 6.8 per cent expansion in 2025 after a 0.7 per cent contraction in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026, and a pipeline valued at KSh3.4 trillion (approximately $26 billion) has been identified.
The sector’s performance came as the national economy grew 4.6 per cent in 2025, a slight decline from the 4.7 per cent growth seen in 2024, while Kenya accounts for 64.4 per cent of the construction project value recognised across East Africa, per Construct Africa.
The identified pipeline is expected to generate demand for building materials, machinery, technology and specialist services, presenting potential gains for local contractors, manufacturers and suppliers if financing is secured and projects advance.
The KSh3.4 trillion figure does not reveal how much investment has already been funded or how many projects have entered the construction phase, and proposed developments do not automatically become contracts or business for Kenyan suppliers.
Continued sector growth will depend on the availability of project financing, control of construction costs, timely implementation and the capacity of domestic firms to meet technical requirements.
These prospects will be examined at the ninth edition of Big 5 Construct Kenya, scheduled for 21-October 23, 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, with an expectation of more than 150 exhibitors from over 25 countries, including Liebherr, MC-Bauchemie, RIB Software, Henkel Kenya, King Tiles and Kohler East Africa.
The exhibition aims to connect developers, architects, engineers and contractors with manufacturers and service providers showcasing construction products and technologies. Josine Heijmans, senior vice-president at dmg events, said “Kenya’s substantial project pipeline is creating demand for a broad range of products, expertise and specialist services, opening opportunities for companies looking to expand their presence in East Africa.”
The programme will feature the Big 5 Impact Trail and more than 25 sessions covering architecture, project management, construction technology, sustainability and contracting, with participation expected from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the National Construction Authority and the Architectural Association of Kenya.
Kenya’s Vision 2030 development plan identifies infrastructure and housing as key investment areas, providing a policy framework for ongoing construction activity, though the translation of the pipeline into sustained business will rely on projects moving toward implementation.
