Swaziland-based construction company Inyatsi Construction Group believes that aggressively entering the South African construction and infrastructure sector will enable the company to expand further into sub-Saharan Africa.

Inyatsi Construction Group chairperson Frans Pienaar says that, in 2007, the company established Inyatsi Construction South Africa, which has completed diversified projects such as the Nelson Mandela Memorial Museum, in the Eastern Cape; work in the railway industry for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa; and a water purification system for the Mbombela municipality, in Mpumalanga.

He adds that, since then, Inyatsi Construction Group has noted much potential in the markets and work it can tender for in South Africa, as the company was also involved in a joint venture project that built a portion of the N4 bypass of Nelspruit, in Mpumalanga.

“We believe that South Africa is the heart of the continent’s economy, as the policies in the country are far [advanced], compared with those of other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Also, the level of competitiveness and the volume of work available in South Africa enable us to venture into different markets and gain the much-needed exposure,” Pienaar explains.

Therefore, the company is expanding in its diverse approach, reflected in its recent venture into the crushing and aggregates supply business in Botswana. It is also exploring work opportunities in Liberia and Kenya.

Moreover, Pienaar notes that the company currently has operations in Zambia, Mozambique, Uganda and Swaziland. These operations have provided the company with an order book of more than R3-billion of work in progress and signed projects.

However, with Inyatsi Construction Group set on securing more than R5-billion, in line with its growth path strategy, Pienaar says South Africa will play a key role in ensuring that this goal is reached, as the country has the capacity to trigger the desired growth.

He adds that gaining the experience in diverse markets will prompt further growth of the company. “Being listed on one of the well-recognised stock exchanges, such as the JSE, is one of our growth expansion plans; this will ensure that the company becomes a multibillion-rand company and gains exposure to vast industries.”

Pienaar concludes that this growth will also benefit personnel within the company, as it will ensure that they are exposed to possibilities of being promoted to lead projects and expand their skills in the industry.