Industry Highlights – Week Ending 18.07.2025
Real Estate Sector
Real Estate Sector’s Contribution to Kenya’s GDP Drops
“Is Kenya’s Real Estate Losing Steam?” A new report shows a dip in GDP contribution—what should developers and investors do now?
Summary: The real estate sector’s contribution to Kenya’s GDP has decreased from 10.5% in Q4 2023 to 9.3% in Q1 2025, highlighting sectoral slowdown.
Why it matters: For developers and investors, this signals the need for strategic repositioning, niche targeting, and value innovation in a cooling market.
BuildExpo 2025 Brings Global Construction Players to Nairobi
Global Builders in Town!” BuildExpo 2025 attracts 140+ exhibitors—discover what this means for Kenya’s construction and real estate landscape
🔗 Citizen Digital – July 13, 2025
Summary: Over 140 exhibitors from 30+ countries gathered in Nairobi for BuildExpo 2025, spotlighting innovations in construction, infrastructure, and real estate.
Why it matters: This is a major platform for developers to tap into new tech, partnerships, and global trends shaping Kenya’s built environment.
Ruto Announces 4,000 Paid Internships Under Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing Just Got a Youth Boost. With 4,000 internships now in play, Kenya’s housing agenda is doubling as a job creator.
🔗 The Kenya Times – July 10, 2025
Summary: President Ruto has unveiled 4,000 paid internships linked to the Affordable Housing Programme, aiming to create jobs and skills among youth.
Why it matters: This injects new energy into the housing sector, aligning construction with social impact—ideal for ESG-focused developer
State Wants Homebuyers’ ID Details in Anti-Money Laundering Push
“Who’s Buying That House?” New law could require all property buyers’ identities disclosed—compliance just got real for developers and agents.
🔗 Business Daily – July 10, 2025
Summary: Kenya’s Treasury has proposed legal changes to compel developers and agents to disclose buyers’ identity details in a crackdown on illicit property transactions.
Why it matters: Real estate players will face tighter KYC compliance—critical to understanding legal risk and adapting documentation processes.
KCB Gets Green Light to Sell Houses Over Sh446M Loan Default
When Homes Backfire as Collateral: KCB’s go-ahead to sell default-linked houses reminds the industry, loan risk must be watched closely.
🔗 Business Daily – July 9, 2025
Summary: KCB has been allowed to auction homes tied to a corporate loan default of KSh 446 million, reigniting conversations about collateral and foreclosure risks.
Why it matters: Developers and financiers must reassess loan structuring, especially for high-risk clients using real estate as security.
Shared Office Giant IWG to Open 8 New Hubs in Kenya
Flexible Workspaces on the Rise” IWG expands across Kenya – should your next commercial project offer more than just square footage?
🔗 Business Daily – July 5, 2025
Summary: International workspace provider IWG is launching 8 new flexible office locations across Kenya, tapping into demand for hybrid workspaces.
Why it matters: This reflects a growing trend in commercial real estate—developers should consider repurposing or designing flex spaces for the future of work.
How Developers Can Leverage AfCFTA for Growth
AfCFTA: Real Estate’s Next Frontier?” Learn how smart developers are building with cross-border trade in mind.
🔗 The Standard – July 13, 2025
Summary: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers developers a broader regional market and demand for logistics hubs, industrial parks, and cross-border investments.
Why it matters: Strategic real estate developers can capitalize on AfCFTA by positioning their projects for regional integration and export-oriented infrastructure.
Energy Sector
Legislators Take KenGen to Task Over KSh 378M Stalled Power Projects
Power Project Delays Under the Spotlight” Lawmakers question KenGen on stalled KSh 378M schemes—what does this mean for developers and energy-dependent property plans?
Summary: Parliamentarians grilled KenGen for delays on two power projects valued at KSh 378 million, pressing the utility firm for accountability and timelines.
Why it matters: Delays in energy infrastructure directly impact power reliability for developers and investors in real estate, potentially stalling construction and operational timelines.
How Greening Urban Spaces Will Boost Africa’s Resilience Against Climate Change
Green Spaces = Higher Returns?” New findings show urban greening can cut energy expenses and uplift real estate value—are your projects missing this edge?
Summary: Investing in urban green infrastructure lowers energy costs, creates maintenance jobs, and lifts property values across African cities.
Why it matters: Developers can boost project appeal and returns by integrating green design—benefiting both sustainability goals and market positioning.
Kenya Joins Global Push to Double Energy Efficiency by 2030
Efficiency Goals Light the Way. Kenya signs on to the IEA plan to double energy efficiency by 2030—mark your portfolios for an energy-smart future.
🔗 Daily Nation – July 14, 2025
Summary: Kenya has committed to doubling its energy efficiency by 2030, aligning with the IEA’s global net-zero roadmap and improving sector resilience.
Why it matters: Energy-efficient buildings will soon be in higher demand—developers and property owners should prepare for new standards and incentives.
Infrastructure Sector
Chinese Firms Eye Rironi–Mau Summit Toll Road Contract
All Roads Lead to Opportunity. Chinese firms line up for the Rironi–Mau Summit expressway—watch this space for major infrastructure ripple effects.
🔗 Kenyan Wall Street – July 12, 2025
Summary: Several Chinese infrastructure giants have submitted bids for Kenya’s Rironi–Mau Summit toll road project, a major public-private infrastructure deal under review by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
Why it matters: The project signals renewed momentum in transport-linked development and may open up real estate opportunities along the corridor.
Africa Urged to Bridge KSh 13.9 Trillion Infrastructure Funding Gap
KSh 13.9T Problem, Endless Possibilities” Africa’s infrastructure gap is huge—but for savvy developers, it’s a doorway to public-private dealmaking.
🔗 People Daily – July 13, 2025
Summary: African countries, including Kenya, have been urged to urgently mobilize resources to close a KSh 13.9 trillion ($100B) annual infrastructure funding gap, with emphasis on roads, housing, and energy.
Why it matters: Developers and investors should align with policy priorities and multilateral funding flows for high-impact projects and blended finance partnerships.
Kisumu and Johannesburg Secure AfDB Funding for Urban Upgrades
🔗 Kenyan Wall Street – July 11, 2025
Smart Cities, Smarter Investments” AfDB funds new upgrades in Kisumu—developers should prepare for next-gen city planning and infrastructure demand.
Summary: The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved urban infrastructure funding for Kisumu and Johannesburg under its Smart Cities Program, aimed at boosting urban resilience and sustainability.
Why it matters: Developers in secondary cities like Kisumu can now explore public-private partnerships and housing or infrastructure projects linked to smart urban expansion.
KeNHA to Expand Kiambu Road into Four-Lane Dual Carriageway
🔗 Eastleigh Voice – July 14, 2025
Kiambu Road Gets a Major Upgrade” With expansion plans underway, this key corridor could be real estate’s next big hotspot.
Summary: The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) will expand Kiambu Road into a four-lane dual carriageway, with funding support from China. The project aims to ease traffic and open up surrounding areas for development.
Why it matters: Improved road access is likely to boost land and property value along Kiambu Road—developers should act early to secure strategic sites.
