Visitors speak with LiuGong staff during the 26th Buildexpo Kenya in Nairobi in July 2025 (LIUGONG AFRICA)

The booming construction of new housing and commercial units has led to unprecedented demand for heavy construction equipment in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The surge is fuelled by the government’s commitment to upgrade existing infrastructure and build new buildings to meet the needs of a burgeoning urban population, driving a boom in roads, railways, airports, bridges, and housing units. 

This growing demand has attracted Chinese heavy equipment manufacturers and distributors, eager to capture a share of the market. 

To penetrate the market, Chinese companies are establishing regional hubs and signing strategic partnerships with local dealers to expand distribution networks and offer a broader range of equipment. 

Their investments have created local employment and fostered the development of skills and knowledge, significantly contributing to economic growth. It is estimated that over the past decade, more than 200,000 jobs have been created through Kenya-China bilateral cooperation across infrastructure, manufacturing, and special economic zones. 

Expanding presence 

China National Heavy Duty Truck Group (Sinotruk), a Chinese supplier known for affordable quality trucks in the tipper and prime mover segments, recently partnered with CFAO Mobility Kenya, a local distributor of brands including Toyota, Yamaha, Volkswagen, Suzuki and Mercedes-Benz. The partnership expanded Sinotruk’s offerings to include light- and medium-duty vehicles aimed at strengthening its market dominance. 

“These models offer higher payload capacities and larger fuel tanks, reducing the need for frequent refuelling and enabling longer hauls, which translates into overall fuel cost savings,” said Sinotruk General Manager Sarfraz Premji during the launch of its new light- and medium-duty tipper trucks. 

Premji noted that the company has achieved remarkable growth globally, especially in the African market. “From January to June this year (2025), we have exported over 70,000 units globally, including more than 30,000 to Africa, and over 1,000 units to Kenya,” he said. The models are expected to revolutionise the transport sector by supporting both last-mile delivery and heavy-load, long-haul transport. 

Another major Chinese construction equipment firm LiuGong has established a regional hub and signed partnerships with local dealers. 

“The unveiling of the Kenyan assembly plant is part of our endeavour to widen our product offerings while expanding our footprint across Africa,” said Zeng Guang’an, CEO of LiuGong Group. 

While adoption of Chinese equipment is growing in the region, industry players warn of a lack of skilled personnel to operate advanced machinery efficiently.  

Zeng emphasised the need to collaborate with local universities to transfer knowledge and skills, ensuring that the increasing adoption of sophisticated construction equipment is supported by a capable workforce. 

“We are not only establishing a hub in Kenya for business purposes, but are keen to support technology transfer so that Kenya develops a critical mass of young, well-trained engineers who will drive the manufacturing sector in the future,” Zeng said. 

A scissor lift by Chinese company Sinoboom is displayed during the 26th Buildexpo Kenya in Nairobi in July 2025 (COURTESY) 

Regional expansion 

The presence of multiple Chinese construction equipment companies demonstrates the East African heavy equipment boom is attracting global players. In July 2025, Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery (SDLG) opened a new East African regional hub LGQH Co. in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and shipped 300 units of construction equipment to Africa under its innovative Manufacturer-Partner Joint Go-Global (MPJGG) export model. 

The shipment included excavators, wheeled loaders, road rollers, and motor graders - products tailored for cross-border highways, rail networks, ports, and mining development. These machines are being deployed in key projects such as Kenya’s Africa Infrastructure Development Plan, allowing “Made in China” to make a mark in the local construction domain. 

“Africa is an essential and highly promising part of SDLG’s global strategy. The successful shipment of 300 machines, especially under the innovative MPJGG model powered by LGQH, marks a critical step in deepening our African presence,” said Song Xiaoying, executive deputy general manager of SDLG. 

With increasing quarry and mining activities across the region, advanced technology, strong local partnerships and dealership networks are key to capturing market share. 

“To stay competitive in the dynamic equipment market, we focus on advanced technology, fuel efficiency, durability and localised support,” said Ronak Goswami, general manager of PL International, an Indian equipment supplier. 

To capitalise on anticipated growth in quarry and aggregates, PL International has signed dealerships with Lonking, a Chinese manufacturer of excavators, wheel loaders, motor graders, backhoe loaders and bulldozers, as well as with Sinoboom, which manufactures access working platforms. 

While the sector is projected to grow substantially, logistical challenges continue to impede equipment importation and distribution. 

Goswami cautioned that supply chain disruptions, high import duties, inconsistent customs policies, and limited access to spare parts could affect project timelines and costs. “The sector faces logistics hurdles coupled with funding and spare parts access issues,” he observed.