The cement industry in East Africa is undergoing a dramatic shift as three billionaires invest a combined Sh133 billion in acquisitions and clinker plant construction to gain control over production and distribution. Narendra Raval, Sarbjit Singh Rai, and Edha Nahdi are directing their capital toward market dominance in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, outmaneuvering traditional competitors and securing essential raw materials before others can.
Expansion strategies across East Africa
Sarbjit Singh Rai’s Sarrai Group, which already holds a strong position in western Kenya through its Kisumu-based Rai Cement, is now advancing into central Kenya with a new facility in Nyeri. The company’s operations also cover Uganda and Rwanda, but the Nyeri project marks a deliberate push into Kenya’s most active construction markets.
Edha Nahdi’s Amsons Group has taken the most aggressive approach. It acquired a clinker plant from Bamburi Cement for Sh38.8 billion and has pledged an additional Sh51.6 billion to the Kenyan firm over three years—a commitment that suggests a long-term strategy rather than short-term gains. Amsons purchased the Kenyan government’s stake in East African Portland Cement (EAPC) for Sh1.6 billion and secured a 65% share in Tanzania’s Mbeya Cement, extending its influence across the region.
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Narendra Raval’s Devki Group is focusing on northern Kenya’s mineral-rich deposits with a Sh45 billion clinker plant in West Pokot. The company completed a 99.94% acquisition of Rwanda’s Cimerwa Plc for Sh13.6 billion, giving Devki a controlling foothold in the Rwandan market.
Driving forces behind the acquisitions
The consolidation reflects two key developments. First, major foreign investors, including Swiss multinational Holcim, which previously held stakes in Bamburi and EAPC, are withdrawing from Africa, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Second, regional governments are divesting from sectors they no longer consider essential, accelerating transfers of ownership into the hands of a small group of well-funded African business leaders.
The group is securing clinker production capacity, a critical advantage given Kenya’s tariffs on imported raw materials. With construction demand surging due to housing shortages and infrastructure gaps, these investors are positioning themselves to supply the region’s growth while restricting access for rivals.
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