Global construction and management consulting firm Turner & Townsend has taken another step in its African growth and expansion strategy by launching an office in Kenya.

As growth in Africa, and in particular East Africa, increased, it provided Turner & Townsend with a “major catalyst” for its own growth ambitions.

“With Kenya being the largest economy in East Africa, it became imperative for us to have a Nairobi base if we want to grow our presence across the East African Community (EAC). Support residing in Kenya is also strategically important as a base for many of our global clients that have large operations in country,” newly appointed Kenya country manager Daimon Keith said in a statement.

Despite developing – and continually growing – an extensive business across the South African Development Community (SADC) for many years, the company was focusing on East Africa, which it deemed “the next logical step”, given Turner & Townsend’s existing client base and the opportunity to introduce new services and develop skill sets in the region.

“The gateway into East Africa for us was our Uganda office, launched off the back of a project with Tullow Oil, resulting in additional work from other clients and enabling us to build our brand,” Keith said.

Currently, in East Africa, Turner & Townsend was delivering projects in Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Djibouti, besides its work in Uganda and Kenya.

Meanwhile, South Africa remained an important gateway for Turner & Townsend’s continued growth in Africa.

The group was currently involved in over 40 projects outside of South Africa.

“In achieving growth now and into the future, our Africa strategy incorporates three main hubs, concentrated in the SADC, the EAC and in West Africa,” he added.

In West Africa, Nigeria and Ghana would also be the focus of the company as it sought new project opportunities.