Chinese forklift makers shift focus to Africa as infrastructure growth fuels regional demand and localisation efforts

Chinese manufacturers are keen to localise production in Africa to reduce costs as the market for forklift trucks expands on the back of an infrastructure boom

Infrastructure projects are poised to drive demand for forklifts across Africa by around 4-5% per annum over the next five years, new research suggests. Forklift shipments to the African market in 2024 reached 21,082 units, based on Interact Analysis’ Global Forklift Market report.

Driving demand, it noted, was a surge in new infrastructure projects, particularly in North Africa as well as the Middle East. The research cited Egypt and Saudi Arabia as two thriving markets, though Morocco too is experiencing an infrastructure bonanza as it gears up for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Maya Xiao, research manager at Interact Analysis, says the global forklift market is experiencing notable shifts in 2025, influenced by varying regional growth patterns, ongoing changes in electrification adoption and the implementation of US tariff policies.

The continued international expansion efforts of Chinese companies is also notable, Xiao adds. Chinese vendors appear to have accelerated localised production capacity to get closer to markets and for improved cost efficiencies. The report cites cost reductions of around 15%. With China’s own massive domestic forklift market of around 800,000 units annually now firmly in a replacement-driven plateau phase, Africa also presents a dynamic growth opportunity.

China targets African market

Chinese manufacturers in particular are shifting their global focus and reducing reliance on direct investment in the US market, which is affected by tariffs, while increasing investment into other regions, including Europe and southeast Asia. This increased investment involves establishing localised manufacturing, enhancing service capabilities and acquiring technology.

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FAMCO supports MAR with Volvo machines, boosting marine and civil construction across Middle East and Africa. (Image source: Volvo CE)

With a robust fleet of Volvo machines provided and supported by Al-Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO), MAR Marine & Building Contracting is taking on technically demanding marine and civil construction projects across the Middle East and Africa, delivering efficiency and minimising downtime

Founded in 2018, MAR Marine & Building Contracting has rapidly established itself as a regional leader in marine and civil infrastructure. Headquartered in both the UAE and Lebanon, with projects spanning multiple countries, MAR has completed more than 200 contracts for over 340 clients, an impressive feat for a relatively new player.

Central to MAR’s success is its focus on quality, timely project delivery and customer satisfaction. The company operates across a wide scope—marine works, steel structures, civil construction, dredging, and sea pipeline installations, serving both public and private clients. Each project poses its own set of challenges, especially in harsh coastal settings where machinery must be both durable and reliable.

Engineering excellence in tough marine conditions

Marine and coastal construction is one of the most complex sectors in the industry, requiring resilience against environmental variables such as saltwater corrosion, fluctuating tides and tight regulatory requirements. To meet these challenges, MAR has invested in more than 40 crawler excavators and articulated haulers from Volvo Construction Equipment.

The Volvo machines have become vital assets in operations such as breakwater construction and sand backfilling. Their corrosion-resistant materials, sealed electrical systems and protected hydraulic components are well suited to marine environments. According to MAR, Volvo’s reputation for robust engineering and performance has been instrumental in their ability to deliver on time.

Partnership rooted in trust

FAMCO, Volvo CE’s long-standing dealer in the UAE, supplies and services MAR’s fleet. This relationship is underpinned by shared values of reliability and service excellence.

“Today we take a moment to thank our trusted partner FAMCO for all their support,” said Marwan Nakhoul, project site engineer at MAR. “In our work, success depends on strong partnerships. FAMCO, together with Volvo Construction Equipment, has always been one of our most trusted partners.”

Nakhoul also pointed to how Volvo’s equipment delivers measurable benefits: “Thanks to the high quality of their machines, we’ve had less downtime and finished our work faster and more efficiently. Our partnership with FAMCO is a big reason for our success.”

Supporting growth across borders

As the demand for marine infrastructure grows across the Middle East and Africa, companies like MAR are playing a key role in driving economic development and coastal resilience. With FAMCO and Volvo CE as dependable partners, MAR is well equipped to expand its footprint—one marine project at a time.

Hamm’s new electric tandem rollers combine zero emissions, high power, and low maintenance for urban projects. (Image source: HAMM)

Emission-free performance meets powerful compaction in Hamm’s latest electric rollers

Hamm is advancing its compaction technology with the launch of new fully electric tandem rollers—the HX 70e VV-S and HX 70e VO-S. Designed to help the construction industry meet emission goals, these machines combine environmental responsibility with powerful performance. The VV-S model features two vibration drums, while the VO-S variant comes equipped with an oscillation drum, making both ideal for urban construction environments.

Quiet, efficient, and fast to recharge

Built with a proven 400-volt lithium-ion battery from Kreisel, the new models offer a capacity of 63 kWh. Charging is done via a Type 2 connector, and support for additional options like Type 1, J1772, and CCS is on the horizon. With the fast-charging feature, the battery can be topped up from 20% to 80% in less than an hour. These electric rollers offer quieter operation and greater efficiency compared to traditional diesel models, with the VO-S version especially suited to areas where noise and vibration control are essential, such as hospitals or heritage sites.

Diesel-equivalent power, simplified operation

Despite being fully electric, the HX 70e series delivers compaction power on par with, or even exceeding, that of conventional diesel rollers. The user interface has been updated with intuitive symbols, but otherwise the controls remain familiar, ensuring a smooth transition for operators used to traditional models.

Lower maintenance, long-term savings

One of the key advantages of the electric lineup is reduced maintenance. The high-voltage components are built for longevity and require fewer routine checks than their diesel counterparts. Operating costs are also significantly lower, and the machines are fully integrated with the John Deere Operations Center, providing seamless digital connectivity. As always, customers can count on Hamm’s renowned service and support.

Work is well underway on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (Image source: Hitech Construction)

As Nigeria’s Hitech Construction Company Limited nears completion on the first segment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the project has secured a landmark financing package involving commercial and other lenders that bodes well for future infrastructure developments

Deutsche Bank led a US$747mn syndicated loan to fund the first section of the project, which covers a 47-km stretch from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos.

A statement by Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance said it marks the largest syndicated loan ever arranged for a roads project in the country and reflects a “strong signal of global investor confidence” in the nation’s reform trajectory and infrastructure pipeline.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a flagship project under Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Agenda.

“This deal reflects the success of our macroeconomic reforms and the return of international capital to support Nigeria’s development,” said Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

“We are focused on financing infrastructure in ways that are sustainable, transparent and catalytic — and this transaction is a model of that vision.”

Deutsche Bank acted as the transaction’s global coordinator, lead arranger and bookrunner and participated in the syndicate, alongside other regional and international lenders.

The syndicate includes support from development finance institutions, export credit agencies and international commercial banks, such as First Abu Dhabi Bank, the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Nexent Bank N.V. (formerly known as Credit Europe Bank N.V.) and Zenith Bank (through its UK, Paris and Nigeria offices).

The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a part of the Islamic Development Bank Group, provided partial political and commercial risk insurance.

The project is structured as an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction + Financing) contract awarded to Hitech Construction, one of Nigeria’s leading infrastructure firms.

The highway, which is being built using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP), also reflects a commitment to longer-term resilience and efficiency, engineered for a minimum lifespan of 50 years with minimal maintenance.

Construction of Phase 1 Section 1 is already over 70% complete, said Dany Abboud, Hitech Construction’s managing director.

“We are proud to deliver this historic project,” he said. “We are showing that Nigerian engineering — backed by structured international finance— can meet global standards. The use of CRCP technology ensures unmatched durability and cost-efficiency.”

The highway will serve as a vital trade and logistics corridor for Nigeria, enhancing regional integration, tourism, reducing transport costs and creating jobs.

A tolling strategy is currently being finalised to ensure the project’s operational and financial sustainability, while additional funding for subsequent phases is now being structured, reportedly with strong interest from regional and international investors, according to the Ministry of Finance.

“This transaction is a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda,” said David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works.

“The Lagos-Calabar Highway is a strategic national asset, and this financing sets a strong precedent for future public-private infrastructure partnerships.”

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