NAIROBI: World renowned innovative builders and engineers are expected to attend a major building and construction trade fair to be held in the country in October.
The expo dubbed Totally Concrete East Africa set to take place from October 26 to 28 in Nairobi comes at a time when myriad new properties are under development across the region with more construction sites cropping up almost on a daily basis.
In Kenya the Government has introduced regulations to allow Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to be used to develop new housing projects with currently 76, 000 units in the pipeline. In Ethiopia, the construction of the tallest building in the region is now underway by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, comprising 46 storeys.
These represent just some of the projects that are shaping the project pipeline in East Africa and forging new market opportunities for cement manufacturers and other building material suppliers.
According to organisers of the three-day event, this October at Totally Concrete East Africa, the latest in building and concrete technology will be shared by leading construction entrepreneurs and innovators. It will bring together the region’s leading project owners to source and identify top contractors and suppliers.
The event is sponsored by ARM Cement and supported by more than 15 local partners including Kenya Vision 2030, National Construction Authority of Kenya, National Construction Council of Tanzania, the East African Cement Producers Association, Kenya Property Developers Association and the Association of Citizen Contractors of Tanzania.
“Totally Concrete East Africa highlights the important role of all disciplines from designers, engineers and manufacturers to policy makers in ensuring that cement and other building materials are effectively used to benefit the developing construction industry in our region,” Architect and Interior Designer from Epitome Architects in Tanzania, Petrina Manase Salema said.
“Not only will the event provide access to world renowned innovative builders and engineers, it will also provide practical training on how maximise building sustainability and structural integrity under local marketplace conditions,” statement from the organisers added.
Managing Director of Geoff Griffiths & Associates Geoff Griffiths will be there to unpack aggregates for concrete with an emphasis on quarry fines and control of moisture content in batching to allow for maximum concrete strength and structural integrity.
ARM Cement CEO Pradeep Paunrana, on the other hand, will discuss the design and application of high strength concrete in East Africa.
