June 10, 2026
Shimizu Corporation (President: Tatsuya Shimmura) has entered into agreements with the University of Nairobi and the Technical University of Kenya—two of Kenya’s leading national universities—to collaborate on human resource development in the construction and engineering sectors. On the 10th, the company signed separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with both institutions at the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. This partnership aims to cultivate the next generation of professional construction managers who will lead Africa’s infrastructure development.
The African continent, comprising 54 diverse nations, is projected to account for one-quarter of the world's population by 2050, drawing significant international attention for its growth potential and market opportunities. As many multinational corporations establish a presence in the region, Japanese companies are also increasing their activities. Africa is shifting from a "recipient of aid" to a "strategic investment destination" for sustainable development, leading to a surge in construction and infrastructure investment.
To capture these opportunities and scale our business in Africa, it is essential to train local talent, promote technology transfer, and build a long-term human resource base. Shimizu, which operates a regional office in Nairobi, proposed this partnership through the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. The University of Nairobi is renowned for producing national leaders and Nobel laureates, while the Technical University of Kenya is highly regarded for its practical engineering and applied science programs.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Vice-Chancellors of both universities and Hitoshi Fujita, Senior Managing Officer in charge of Global Business at Shimizu Corporation. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in the presence of Amb. Isaiya Kabira, MBS, Secretary, Investments, Skills & Entrepreneurship and Ag CEO, DPA and a senior representative from the Embassy of Japan. Moving forward, we will finalize the program details with both universities. Our plan is to recruit graduates interested in contributing to Africa’s infrastructure, providing them with a free one-year Japanese language course. Participants will aim to achieve N3-level proficiency on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Top-performing students will then be invited to Japan for on-site construction management training to further hone their skills as professional construction managers.
We believe that by equipping these Future leaders with our company’s construction management expertise and our approach to "Monozukuri" (craftsmanship), they will become vital assets when they return home, expanding our network and strengthening our human resource base in Africa. Furthermore, we are confident that their success will serve as a driving force for Kenya’s sustainable growth.
≪For Reference≫
Our African Operations
Shimizu Corporation entered the African market in the late 1960s and has since completed over 90 infrastructure projects across 16 countries, including roads, viaducts, hospitals, and schools. Aligned with the three economic corridors supported by the Japanese government, our key focus markets include East Africa (centered on Kenya), West Africa (centered on Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana), and the Nacala Corridor (Zambia and Mozambique). While our projects have primarily been funded by Japanese ODA to date, we intend to pursue non-ODA projects and are exploring entry into the concession business.
The information contained in this news release is the current information on the date of publication. Please be aware that this information may have changed by the time you view it. Please contact the company to inquire for further details.