Chinese firm building manufacturing hub for construction technologies in Kenya

NAIROBI - China Wu Yi has fast tracked development of a manufacturing hub for new building technologies on the outskirts of Kenyan capital, Nairobi, executives told reporters during a recent tour of the site of the project.

Lin Yihua, the Deputy General Manager of China Wu Yi (Kenya) Precast Co Limited, said his company has invested $100 millionto set up the Kenya building research and development, production lines and supermarket for construction materials project that will be operational later in the year.

"This project upon completion will be a modern building industry hub integrating industrialized manufacturing, production, research, development, sale, display and demonstration of construction materials," said Lin.

He said the establishment of a manufacturing hub for new construction technologies in Kenya is in line with Chinese government Belt and Road policy that seeks to promote industrial growth in Africa.

China Wu Yi (Kenya) Precast company Limited will produce interior wall panels, slabs and beams, columns and stair case for assembling during construction of apartment buildings.

The company has already installed equipment such as concrete mixer, cranes and welding machines to facilitate production of high quality but affordable construction materials.

"All the installation and commissioning work will be completed by June 30 this year, we will start producing precast element in July," Lin told reporters, adding that precast materials will lower the cost and time taken to construct a house.

China Wu Yi (Kenya) Precast Company Limited was incorporated in August last year and aims to revolutionize the real estate sector in Kenya and the wider eastern African region through adoption of precast technologies to construct houses.

Lin noted that the precast technology has been in existence in Europe, America, Japan and Singapore for an estimated 80 years while China has adopted it in the last one decade.

"The technology is currently evolving and we are keen to introduce it to Kenya and other African countries. High quality, cheaper and environmentally friendly construction materials will fuel Kenya's growth," said Lin.

Meanwhile, China Wu Yi is in the process of setting up a three-story supermarket for building materials alongside a modern hotel to provide accommodation to customers from distant lands.

Lin said the supermarket will stock high quality but pocket friendly construction materials from China.

"The supermarket provides a convenient and integrated building materials procurement market for local people," said Lin, adding that he was confident the Kenyan real estate sector will sustain its current growth trajectory.