Kenneth Mbae on How Centum Real Estate is Transforming East Africa with Smart, Green Cities
The interview with Kenneth Mbae, Managing Director of Centum Real Estate, provides an in-depth look at how the company is shaping the future of real estate in East Africa through innovative, large-scale, mixed-use developments. With over 57 years of experience in the sector, Centum has positioned itself as a leading real estate developer in Kenya, Uganda, and across the region, committed to delivering sustainable, lifestyle-oriented housing and commercial infrastructure.
Centum Real Estate focuses on building model cities that integrate residential homes, commercial spaces, industrial hubs, and green infrastructure. Their developments are anchored in areas experiencing rapid urban growth, guided by demographic and infrastructural data. A hallmark of their strategy is the creation of affordable luxury homes and IFC Edge-certified green buildings that reduce energy and water consumption, lowering the total cost of homeownership.
From flagship projects like Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi, the region’s largest shopping mall, to Ping’o City at the coast and Balmarina Resort City on the shores of Lake Victoria, Centum is redefining urban living. These sustainable real estate developments feature townhouses, apartments, bungalows, and high-rise residential buildings, alongside offices, retail malls, and industrial parks.
Centum’s housing portfolio caters to three main segments:
Affordable homes (USD 20,000–100,000), including projects like Mzizi, Cascadia, and Roft,
Mid-market homes (USD 100,000–200,000),
High-end housing (above USD 200,000) in prime locations across Nairobi, Vipingo, and Uganda.
The company also offers serviced plots within master-planned communities, appealing to real estate investors in East Africa who want flexibility with infrastructure-ready land.
A major competitive advantage for Centum is its ability to combine cost-effective construction with bankable, high-quality products in strategic urban locations. Through financial partnerships, the company facilitates access to mortgage financing, supports off-plan buyers, and reduces project cycles using modern construction technologies.
Looking ahead, Centum Real Estate plans to expand into other African markets, including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia, in response to a growing regional housing deficit. With an annual shortfall of over 200,000 units in Kenya alone, Centum is uniquely positioned to deliver investment-ready, scalable housing solutions.
Kenneth Mbae emphasizes the importance of green, sustainable urban developments and calls on real estate investors to seize the vast untapped opportunities in the region. With high rental yields in Nairobi, rising demand, and strong fundamentals, East Africa offers one of the most attractive real estate landscapes globally.