NAIROBI, April 1 – Honda Motor Co. is moving into Kenya’s construction sector with plans to begin producing a new road-building material, known as Rising Sand, by 2028 through its startup, PathAhead Company.
The initiative marks the company’s entry into infrastructure materials, with a focus on addressing persistent shortages and inconsistencies in construction-grade aggregates across Africa.
According to Honda, the push comes against a backdrop of limited road infrastructure on the continent. Only about 20% of Africa’s roads are currently paved, while many existing networks are deteriorating, contributing to higher transport and logistics costs.
The company plans to begin demonstration testing in Kenya in 2027 to assess the material’s durability under local traffic and climate conditions.
These trials will help define technical specifications ahead of full-scale production, which is expected to start the following year.
Honda says roads built with Rising Sand could last more than 20 years, compared with roughly 10 years for those constructed using conventional aggregates. This extended lifespan is projected to reduce lifecycle costs by up to 60%, offering potential savings for governments and contractors.
The material is also designed to be cost-competitive with traditional aggregates by using locally sourced desert sand combined with additives, while maintaining consistent quality regardless of geological variation.
Following its Kenya rollout, PathAhead plans to expand production into Tanzania and South Africa, building a regional supply network to support infrastructure development.
The move places Honda within a growing segment of companies exploring alternative construction materials as African economies seek to close infrastructure gaps and improve connectivity.
