East Africa: Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya
About 40% of global urban building activity is expected to occur in African cities by 2050. This means decisions made today in East Africa could have major implications for future global emissions, timber demand, forest restoration, and sustainable urban development.
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Coalition Members
- Amabanda
- Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)
- Ardhi na Mbao
- Arup
- Axum
- Bamboo Uganda
- BOXA
- CPS Africa
- Easy Housing
- Farm Forestry Smallholder Producers Association of Kenya
- Global Buildings Performance Network
- Green Resources
- Kenya Forestry Research Institute
- Localworks
- Lotino Engineering
- MASS Design Group
- Mass Timber Technologies
- Studio Akeka
- studio OMT architects
- Sustainabuild Group
- Sustainabuild Projects
- The GoDown Arts Centre
- The Rewildings
- WAZO Corporation Limited
- Western Tree Planters Association
- Woodtechie Innovations
Our goal
Through our partnership with CSFEP, we support the development of a structured regional network across the value chain in East Africa capable of creating the enabling environment needed to scale biobased construction while strengthening forests, communities, and local businesses. By connecting forestry, construction, government, finance, and community actors across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the Biobased Construction East Africa Coalition aims to showcase how East Africa can be a leading example of climate-smart, regenerative construction in the Global South.
Image from Easy Housing.
Biobased in East Africa: State of the Market
Momentum is building across East Africa and its market potential is substantial. Demand is also high: together, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya face an estimated housing shortage of 6.6 million units. Research commissioned by CSFEP estimates that biobased construction could capture up to 42% of the building market in Nairobi by 2040, resulting in thousands of mass timber buildings and avoiding up to 2.97 million tonnes of embodied carbon emissions.
At the same time, East Africa possesses significant forestry resources and a growing ecosystem of pioneering companies, including developers, manufacturers, architects, and timber innovators that are demonstrating the viability of timber and other biobased materials in the region.
Image from Easy Housing.
Picture on the left, captured by Mutua Matheka, depicts the Bidi Bidi Performing Arts Centre in Uganda, designed by Hassell Studio with Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP), partner Localworks and BbN Frontrunner Arup.
Network Activities
The East Africa Biobased Construction Network creates a platform for collaboration, learning, and action across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Through regular coalition meetings, stakeholder workshops, and focused action groups, members work together to identify market barriers, develop practical solutions, and advance a shared vision for biobased construction in the region. Coalition members can contribute to regional roadmaps, participate in pilot projects, and collaborate on priorities such as local manufacturing capacity, sustainable timber supply chains, policy development, and market demand.
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