Egyptian tycoon Khayri Abo Elyazzed’s RIGA Holding expands sub-Saharan presence with new contracts

Marshall Comins -

Key Points

  • RIGA Holding secures high-value contracts in Guinea and Nigeria, expanding its presence in Africa’s growing construction and engineering sector.
  • The Cairo-based group strengthens its market position with strategic partnerships across West Africa, including deals with Lafarge Africa and Dangote Cement.
  • Under Khayri Abo Elyazzed’s leadership, RIGA Holding continues its aggressive expansion, now operating in over 22 countries.

RIGA Holding, a prominent engineering and construction conglomerate led by Egyptian businessman Khayri Abo Elyazzed, is accelerating its expansion across sub-Saharan Africa, securing multiple high-value contracts that underscore its growing influence in the region. 

The Cairo-based group, known for its robust portfolio in mining, oil, gas, and cement sectors, announced its latest achievements in a press release, highlighting a series of new projects that reflect its strategic ambitions and resilience in the face of global economic uncertainties.

Expansion in Guinea and Nigeria

RIGA Holding has successfully secured contracts with RUSAL Group, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, for construction work in Fria, a town in Guinea’s Boké Region. The project involves substantial infrastructure development, including a mazut fuel storage facility at Conakry port with a capacity of 38,000 cubic meters, housed in two large tanks.

In Nigeria, RIGA has further solidified its position by winning two construction contracts with Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading cement manufacturer in the country. These projects align with RIGA’s strategic focus on the cement industry, a sector that continues to experience significant growth across Africa.

Strategic partnerships and new markets

Beyond Guinea and Nigeria, RIGA Holding has expanded its maintenance and construction contracts across the continent. It has secured three maintenance contracts with Lafarge Africa and an additional maintenance contract with Dangote Cement in Senegal, further strengthening its presence in West Africa.

Additionally, three new construction contracts have been awarded to RIGA by CIMAF, a Moroccan cement producer with extensive operations across Africa. The Cairo-based group, with offices in Ouagadougou, Dakar, Abidjan, Riyadh, and Dubai, has also undertaken an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) project with SNIM in Mauritania, marking its continued expansion into North and West Africa.

RIGA Holding’s resilient growth amid global challenges

Under Khayri Abo Elyazzed’s leadership, RIGA Holding has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, achieving satisfactory growth despite macroeconomic challenges and market volatility. The group’s ability to secure high-profile contracts in a competitive environment highlights its strategic vision and operational excellence. Over seven years, RIGA has expanded into over 22 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.

Looking ahead, RIGA Holding is poised to continue its aggressive expansion strategy, with plans to explore new markets beyond its current footprint. Its sustained focus on strategic partnerships and geographic diversification positions it as a formidable player in Africa’s engineering and construction sector, driving growth and development across the continent.

RIGA’s recent contract wins, and ongoing projects are not only a testament to its operational capabilities but also to its commitment to contributing to the economic development of the regions in which it operates. As the group continues to expand its influence, it is expected to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of Africa’s infrastructure landscape.