Billionaire businessman Mahendra Patel is the executive chairman of Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI), one of East Africa’s premier steel manufacturers, renowned for its extensive production capabilities and high-quality products.
Headquartered in Kenya, AGI operates six state-of-the-art steel plants within the country, alongside two additional plants in Ethiopia. The company also engages in mining activities in Uganda, ensuring a steady supply of billets for its manufacturing processes. With a robust infrastructure and strategic regional presence, AGI is committed to meeting the diverse steel demands across East Africa.
AGI specializes in a wide range of steel products, including hot-rolled steel, cold-formed steel, wire products, and welding rods. This extensive product line caters to various industrial and construction needs, ensuring that clients receive durable and reliable steel solutions.
Mahendra Patel has been in steel since he apprenticed in it in 1968 while studying Metallurgy at Sheffield.
“We bought Kenya’s first rolling mill in 1969 and have been in steel since then. I have seen steel go from a labour-intensive network to fully integrated steel mills. With over 40 years in “a life of steel” Africa has gone through tremendous change, whereby today we must demand high production and quality products,” he says.
Mahendra Patel was recognized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) for over 50 years of achievement, service and contribution to the steel industry.
AGI Group
The Abyssinia Group of Industries is the largest steel producer in East Africa with a capacity in excess of 350,000 metric tons per annum.
The company has been operational in Kenya since 2003 and has utilized locally available resources, made substantial investments in the country and created employment opportunities for thousands of Kenyan citizens. It has also been a major contributor to the country’s economy and infrastructure growth.
The group has also actively participated in important Corporate Social Responsibility projects, such as building schools and assisting in the supply of water and power to rural areas.
Using mineral resources from its own mining operations in Homa Bay County, the Abyssinia Group is the first Integrated Steel plant in East Africa.
The group also manufactures a wide range of value-added iron and steel products for the construction industry ranging from TMT reinforcing bars, angle irons, window sections and BRC rolls, weld mesh, galvanized wire, barbed wire, black binding wire and wire nails.
As a major steel manufacturer in the region with an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Kenya, AGI leverages this advantage to export collated nails beyond Africa, marking its footprint in the global market. The company’s dedication to quality and innovation has solidified its reputation as a leader in the steel industry.
The success of AGI is built on a foundation of advanced technology, a skilled workforce, and a commitment to sustainable practices. By investing in modern manufacturing techniques and adhering to stringent quality standards, AGI not only meets but exceeds industry expectations.
Operations in Uganda
Operations in Ethiopia
The Abyssinia Group of Industries has been present in Ethiopia for over a decade and has multiple business interests in the country catering to building and construction needs. AGI is a significant market player having an integrated mill with the production of billets and ingots from locally sourced raw material which is then converted in our in-house rolling mills to produce the widest range of long structural steel products.
The group also has investments in the Cement Industry to complement our product offering to the customers. Our product range consists of various grades and sizes, such as: TMT – reinforced bars, angles, channels, flats, rounds to name a few.
AGI has invested in keeping pace with the changing technology to bring the best in class to customers and is continuously expanding investments in the country in line with the same.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The Abyssinia Group has been involved in a wide variety of social projects. The group has worked on Environmental protection projects including the publication of “green books”; we have participated in local and international “green events”, and worked alongside retail partners to create pleasant, eco-friendly shopping environments and innovative, eco-friendly technology.
The group also nurture and mentor young talent and work with local and international universities to develop sustainable production methods in various applications. The Abyssinia Group has also donated monetary funds towards relief and reconstruction following natural disasters, women’s rights projects, girl child education and orphan support.
Other CSRs include;
- Sponsoring the publication of “Abyssinia Go Green”
- Sustainable Development International (SDI) “Climate Action”
- Kenya Carbon points association
- Friends of Nairobi National Park
- Green Belt movement
- The company’s commitment to increase the green belt around our sites to 15% of the total area
- Community participation in the growth of fruit trees.
