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Steel tycoon Sikander Lalani has abruptly withdrawn his Roofings Group operations from Kenya, a move that has sent a wave of uncertainty through Uganda’s construction industry.
Lalani, founder and chairman of Roofings, is one of East Africa’s most influential industrialists. His decision to pull out of Kenya which is one of the region’s fastest-growing construction markets has surprised suppliers, traders and competitors who had long counted on the company’s stable presence.
Roofings has been a major supplier of steel roofing sheets, galvanized products and structural materials across the region, with Kenya serving as one of its largest external markets. The sudden exit raises questions about the future of cross-border supply, especially at a time when demand for building materials is rising in both countries.
Ugandan industry insiders say the move could tighten supply at home. Some wholesalers in Kampala have already warned that increased pressure on domestic stock may lead to price hikes, especially for roofing sheets and hot-rolled steel products that Roofings exports in significant volumes.
The concerns stem partly from the scale of Lalani’s operations. Since founding Roofings in the 1990s, after an earlier stint in Rwanda, the businessman has built the company into a vertically integrated steel manufacturer with multiple plants, rolling mills and a reputation for high-quality output. The group is widely seen as a stabilizing force in East Africa’s construction materials market.
Lalani’s rise in industry is well-known. Originally trained as a medical doctor specializing in histopathology, he left medicine for manufacturing decades ago and steadily grew Roofings into a regional powerhouse.
Sources who spoke to Billionaires.Africa say Roofings exited Kenya due to increased operational pressures, including high logistics costs and regulatory hurdles even as it seeks to consolidate its footprint in Uganda.
