US-Based Engineering Firm Opens Africa Office in Nairobi

United States-based engineering and construction firm Bechtel has opened an office in Nairobi that will serve as the region’s infrastructure works headquarters, as foreign investors continue to show their confidence in Kenya as an investment hub.

The San Francisco-based firm offers financing, design, construction and project management services and is seeking to ride on its physical presence in the Kenyan capital to secure government and private project contracts in Kenya and Africa.

“Our new office in Nairobi presents an opportunity to focus on building stronger relationships with our customers and their communities,” said Andrew Patterson, Bechtel’s region president for Africa. “We are excited about creating a permanent presence in Africa to support our customers in delivering large infrastructure, oil and gas and mining projects,” he added.

The African continent has continued to spend heavily in infrastructure mostly roads, airports, seaports, railroads and power plants, which could be the reason the firm has decided to explore the market.

The firm has worked on hundreds of projects in Africa for more than 70 years, and has seen the need to have offices in the region.

“This history and global experience positions the company well to continue to support Africa to deliver the next generation of major projects.”Patterson said.