TANZANIAN billionaire Edha Nahdi has met with Kenyan President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi to discuss an ambitious expansion project for Bamburi Cement.

The second-phase project, valued at $380 million (960bn/-), aims to significantly increase the production capacity of one of East Africa’s largest cement manufacturers.

At just 37 years old, Nahdi, CEO of Amson Group, has already made a major mark in the business world. He recently acquired Bamburi Cement for 500bn/-($182 million), setting a new record as the largest investment by a Tanzanian businessman abroad.

This acquisition surpasses the previous record set by fellow Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz, who invested $130 million (338bn/-) in Kenya through his company Taifa Gas. Nahdi's purchase of Bamburi Cement is now being hailed as the largest private investment by a Tanzanian company in Kenya since the collapse of the East African Community in 1977.

"This project is a significant milestone, not only for Amson Group but for the entire Tanzanian business community," Nahdi said after the meeting.

"It reflects our commitment to strengthening regional ties and contributing to East Africa’s economic development."

Amson Group, which operates in countries including Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi, is positioning itself to become the largest cement producer in East Africa. With the new expansion project and the potential for further investments in Uganda, the company is solidifying its role as a major player in the region’s construction and manufacturing sectors.

In a related move, Bamburi Cement recently sold 70percent of its shares in Hima Cement to Sarrai Group and Rwimi Holding for $84 million (214bn/-) in March 2024, further strengthening Amson Group's position in the regional market.

The ongoing expansion efforts are expected to boost economic growth across East Africa, with Nahdi’s Amson Group leading the way in both production and investment.