South African contractor Murray and Roberts has opened an office in Kitwe city, Zambia, which would serve as a hub for overseeing projects in the infrastructure and minerals sectors in central Africa
Murray and Roberts, which provides engineering, design, construction and project management services, has appointed Jan Nefdt as local director in Zambia, while Dr Sixtus Mulenga has been named in-country non-executive director.
The company has been operating in Zambia for more than two decades. Earlier this year, Murray and Roberts opened a new office in Ghana and announced plans to set up a permanent base in Mozambique in the coming days.
According to the company, the establishment of permanent operations in these three countries would allow it to service projects in central, east and west Africa in a more sustainable manner.
Murray and Roberts has worked on the National Freeway Improvement project in Cape Town for the South African Department of Transport, and on shaft sinking projects for the Mopani Copper Mines, among others.
The group's chief executive officer Henry Laas said, “We see enormous growth opportunities in the African mining, infrastructure, building and energy sectors.”
Murray and Roberts cementation business development executive, Allan Widlake, said opening an office in Zambia is a part of the group’s growth strategy for its construction and engineering segments.
Zambia’s minister of mines Christopher Yaluma, who attended the office inauguration, said, “Other foreign companies should follow Murray and Roberts' lead by establishing local offices in Zambia, as this would boost economic activity and create employment opportunities in the country.”
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