By Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L H. D (Hon)
International building materials company opens its 18th East African showroom in Nairobi, signalling long-term investment ambitions in Kenya’s construction, real estate and home-improvement sectors.
NAIROBI, KENYA – International building materials and home-improvement company ABC Group has officially entered the Kenyan market with the opening of ABC Hauz, its 18th showroom in East Africa, located at Mombasa Road Logistics Park in Nairobi.
The entry comes at a time when Kenya’s construction sector is showing signs of recovery, with renewed infrastructure development, increased residential building activity and growing demand for quality construction materials.
The launch also signals ABC Group’s long-term commitment to Kenya’s building materials, real estate and construction industry, amid calls for a more predictable business environment to encourage investment and sustainable business growth.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2026, the construction sector grew by 6.8 per cent in 2025, recovering from a 0.7 per cent contraction recorded in 2024. The recovery was largely attributed to renewed infrastructure investment, particularly road construction and maintenance, alongside increased residential development.
Speaking during the launch, ABC Group Executive Director Mohammad Rijaz said Kenya presents significant opportunities for investors willing to build sustainable relationships with customers and contribute to the country’s economic development.
“Kenya presents an important opportunity for businesses that understand the construction market and are prepared to build lasting relationships with customers. As investors, we need a predictable operating environment to plan, invest and deliver value to our customers, our shareholders, and the wider economy,” Rijaz said.
Kenya continues to face a substantial housing shortage, with the annual housing deficit estimated at approximately 244,000 units, compared to an annual supply of fewer than 50,000 units.
This gap presents considerable opportunities for investment in residential construction, commercial property development, renovation, interior design and the supply of finishing materials.
However, industry stakeholders maintain that addressing the housing challenge requires more than increasing the number of housing units and construction materials. Professional expertise, compliance with building standards, quality materials and competent workmanship remain essential to ensuring safe and durable buildings.
George Ndege, President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), emphasised the importance of professionalising the construction industry and ensuring that developers engage qualified professionals.
According to Ndege, poor installation and the use of inappropriate materials can undermine the quality of buildings, even where good products have been purchased.
He called upon developers and homeowners to prioritise professional guidance, safety and long-term value rather than focusing exclusively on reducing construction costs.
The Architectural Association of Kenya, which represents eight professions in the built environment, has approximately 5,000 registered members across fields including architecture, interior design and engineering.
As part of efforts to strengthen professional collaboration, AAK has partnered with ABC Hauz to establish the latest Build Hub co-working space, an initiative designed to provide architects, young graduates and independent practitioners with opportunities to explore design solutions, meet clients and strengthen their professional practices.
The facility is expected to make professional design services and access to appropriate construction products more accessible, particularly for projects where affordability is a major consideration.
Rijaz said the partnership would also provide young professionals with an opportunity to work, collaborate and gain experience without incurring office costs.
“Affordable housing should not mean compromising on design or quality. Through value engineering and collaboration with qualified architects and other professionals, we want to help customers identify solutions that meet their needs and budgets. The Build Hub will provide young professionals with a place to work, collaborate and learn at no cost,” he said.
Ndege also challenged the industry to move beyond the perception that affordable construction materials are necessarily inferior in quality, noting that poor construction decisions can increase maintenance and repair costs over time.
AAK has been promoting public awareness and accountability through initiatives such as Mulika Mjengo, which encourages members of the public to report potentially unsafe construction projects, alongside its Healthy Homes Guidelines and Checklists.
The association is also expected to release its Status of the Built Environment Report in December 2026, providing further insight into developments, opportunities and challenges within Kenya’s built environment.
ABC Group Eyes Local Manufacturing in Kenya
Speaking about the company’s future investment plans, ABC Group Founder and Managing Director Muhammed Madani said Kenya represents an important market for innovation, design and the wider home-improvement industry.
Madani revealed that the company is considering expanding its investment into local manufacturing, particularly in furniture, doors and windows production.
“We are bringing global design experience and new-age products closer to Kenyan customers, with a focus on affordable luxury, quality and accessibility. We are also looking at the next phase of our investment, including the possibility of manufacturing in Kenya, particularly in furniture, doors and windows production,” Madani said.
He added that the company’s ambition is to contribute to local industrial development, create opportunities for young people and make innovative construction and home-improvement solutions more accessible.
The proposed investment approach will involve developing designs locally while exploring manufacturing and assembly opportunities in Kenya over the next two years.
ABC Group also plans to expand its Kenyan experience centre in the coming months to offer customised solutions across its various product categories.
Digital Innovation and Support for Construction Professionals
The launch of ABC Hauz also introduced Finch, a rewards application and online portal designed to recognise the contribution of trade professionals, including artisans and plumbers, who play an important role in recommending, sourcing and installing construction materials.
The initiative forms part of ABC Group’s broader strategy to strengthen relationships with professionals across the construction and home-improvement value chain.
In addition to the physical showroom, the company has launched its e-commerce platform, http://www.abchauz.ke, giving customers an opportunity to explore its products and access its services online.
The combination of ABC Hauz, Finch and the Build Hub is expected to connect homeowners, construction professionals, architects and other stakeholders through physical showrooms, digital platforms and professional collaboration.
With its entry into Kenya, ABC Group is positioning itself to benefit from the country’s recovering construction industry while contributing to discussions on affordable housing, quality building materials, professional standards and local manufacturing.
Founded in 1998, ABC Group operates in nine countries across India, the Middle East and Africa. The company has more than 95 showrooms and employs over 2,300 people, with business interests spanning wholesale and retail, distribution, imports and exports, and original equipment manufacturing.
The opening of ABC Hauz therefore marks an important milestone in the group’s regional expansion and its ambitions to become a significant player in Kenya’s growing construction and home-improvement market.
For more information: http://www.abchauz.ke
