Kenya’s Sh4 trillion infrastructure development pipeline is attracting international construction materials and equipment manufacturers seeking to tap into demand generated by projects across the country.
More than 150 companies from over 25 countries are expected in Nairobi for the ninth edition of Big 5 Construct Kenya, as suppliers target opportunities in a construction market recovering from a contraction in 2024.
The exhibition will bring together local and international manufacturers, contractors, developers and service providers dealing in building materials, construction equipment and technology.
Kenya’s construction sector grew by 6.8 percent in 2025, recovering from a 0.7 percent contraction in 2024, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026.
The country also accounts for 64.4 percent of the value of identified construction projects in East Africa, according to Construct Africa, underlining its position as a major market for construction inputs and specialist services in the region.
The estimated $26 billion project pipeline is expected to create opportunities for suppliers of cement, steel, building finishes, machinery, digital construction solutions and other products used in infrastructure and property development.
“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,” said the exhibition organiser Josine Heijmans.
She said the event scheduled for October 21 to 23 at Sarit Expo Centre would connect local businesses with international suppliers and manufacturers while helping foreign companies understand the Kenyan market.
The exhibition will feature international firms including Liebherr, Silkcoat Paint Company, GRUPO B&M, Krypton Chemical, Ceramica Cleopatra, MC-Bauchemie and RIB Software.
Companies from China, Egypt, Germany, Italy and Türkiye will also participate through country pavilions, reflecting the range of foreign suppliers seeking opportunities in Kenya’s construction industry.
Products on display will span construction equipment, cement and concrete, building finishes, heating and cooling systems, mechanical and electrical services, modular construction, solar solutions and intelligent building technologies.
The event comes as the government pursues infrastructure and development projects under Vision 2030 and the Construction Industry Development Policy, sustaining demand for materials, machinery and technical services.
For manufacturers, the exhibition offers an opportunity to engage contractors and developers involved in projects ranging from roads and other public infrastructure to commercial and residential buildings.
The 2026 edition will introduce the Big 5 Impact Trail, a showcase of construction products and technologies designed to reduce environmental impact and improve resource efficiency.
The initiative will feature selected products across the exhibition floor, including lower-impact construction materials and technologies intended to improve building performance over time.
The programme reflects growing attention to the environmental performance of construction materials as developers and contractors consider resource efficiency and the long-term costs of buildings and infrastructure.
The exhibition will also host the CPD-certified Big 5 Talks, featuring more than 25 sessions on architecture and design, project management, technology and innovation, sustainability and contracting.
Speakers will include representatives from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, National Construction Authority, Architectural Association of Kenya, Centre for Science and Technology Innovations, FIDIC, Turner & Townsend and Gentec Consulting.
