Tanzania’s Amsons Group targets Kenya energy sector after Bamburi buyout
Tanzanian industrial conglomerate Amsons Group is set to expand its footprint in Kenya’s energy sector, leveraging its recent high-profile acquisitions of Bamburi Cement and East African Portland Cement (EAPC) to anchor a massive push into power generation.
Following a landmark $900 million (approx. Ksh 116 billion) energy deal in Zambia, the group has confirmed it is exploring similar renewable energy opportunities in Kenya, positioning itself as a key player in East Africa’s utility-scale power market.
According to reports, Amsons Group recently signed a deal with the Zambian government to develop 1,300 megawatts (MW) of power capacity. This project, comprising 1,000 MW of solar and 300 MW of coal-fired power, represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in the region’s energy sector.
Amsons Group Managing Director Edha Nahdi confirmed that the massive Zambian project serves as a blueprint for the group’s regional strategy.
“We are exploring renewable energy opportunities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda,” Nahdi stated. “This project [in Zambia] is about creating sustainable jobs, building local capacity, and contributing to resilient energy systems across the region.”
The entry into Kenya’s power sector is seen as a strategic synergy with Amsons’ recent aggressive expansion in the manufacturing sector. The group has secured a controlling stake in Bamburi Cement and East African Portland Cement, effectively locking down a substantial industrial base in Kenya.
Energy is a critical cost component for cement manufacturing. By developing its own power generation capabilities, analysts believe Amsons could lower operational costs for its cement plants while supplying excess power to the national grid. The group has indicated that its financial and operational strength from these acquisitions provides the necessary capacity to execute large-scale power projects locally.
While the specific mix of solar and coal mirrors the confirmed 1.3 GW project in Zambia, Amsons has specifically highlighted a renewable energy push for its Kenyan operations.
The group’s Zambian venture is being executed through its subsidiary, Africa Power Generation, and aims to address the region’s chronic electricity deficits. If replicated in Kenya, a project of similar magnitude would significantly boost the country’s installed capacity, which currently hovers around 3,300 MW.
“This investment signals a major strategic pivot into utility-scale power generation in strategic markets, including Kenya,” the company noted in a statement, emphasizing support for initiatives like Mission-300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity.
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