BaTach Priority One

Now that we have explored the reasons for the huge and growing demand for residential and commercial accommodation across Africa, it’s time to take a quick lot at the top 10 hot-selling products in the building materials market. Here we go…

#1 – Cement

Cement is one of the most widely used building materials in the modern world and nearly six billion tonnes of this very important commodity is produced every year.

Cement is so crucial to the building and construction industry that it’s hardly surprising that Africa’s richest man, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, is heavily invested in cement production across Africa.

Cement is the main ingredient used in the production of blocks which are the single most used items in building and construction work.

It is combined with aggregates (sand, gravel and stones) to make concrete and used as slurry for filling cracks in all kinds of structures. It is also used for masonry work, plastering and pointing. This versatile capability allows cement to be used in all kinds of structures including buildings, bridges. dams, docks, harbours and roads.

Manufacturing cement requires a very heavy capital investment in quarries, labour, plant and equipment. As a result, only national governments and businessmen with deep pockets are able to set up cement manufacturing plants.

However, small scale businesses and entrepreneurs can get involved in the cement business by joining the distribution chain. You could become a major dealer who buys directly from the cement manufacturers or major importers. Or you could start up as a retailer who sells the product directly to home builders and contractors.

Depending on the volume of cement you decide to deal in, it’s likely you will need a sizeable store or warehouse to keep your stock. You must be careful that your cement is well sealed and protected from water which could totally damage it.

It’s also important that you know the cement brand(s) that are favoured and preferred by builders in your area.

#2 – Wood

Wood is one of the oldest and most commonly used building/construction materials in the world.

Despite the growing threat of deforestation, wood has remained in high demand as a building material because of its reasonable cost, availability, attractive appearance and long life (if protected from insects and moisture).

Wood used in building and construction work is commonly referred to as timber (or ‘lumber’ in the US and Canada).

Timber is sawn into planks or poles and used as supporting materials (beams and pillars), in roof and ceiling construction, door and window frames, and exterior cladding.

Timber is also commonly used in flooring, paneling and general finishing. It is most commonly used to form the mould in which liquid concrete is poured, compacted, and allowed to harden.

Before wood is used for building and construction work, it has to be felled in the forest, processed and seasoned (the process of removing moisture from wood). It is then sawn into logs and planks and sold on the market.

Although Africa has extensive (but fast depleting) forest reserves, the conservation efforts in many countries are forcing builders to look for alternatives to timber.

In Kenya for example, innovative entrepreneurs like Lorna Rutto are using waste plastic to produce a strong and durable substitute to timber; and making a lot of money in the process.

Entrepreneurs who intend to harvest trees to be used as timber will likely require a permit or license from their government’s forestry department or agency responsible for forest resources. Permits have become necessary to avoid indiscriminate logging that cause damage to the environment.

If you intend to buy wood from loggers and process them to timber, it’s likely you will need to invest in machinery and experienced labour who know the techniques of treating, seasoning and curing wood to avoid damage caused by moisture and insects.

#3 – Aggregates

Aggregates are raw earth materials which have been used since prehistoric times in building and construction.

Aggregates fall into two broad categories – coarse aggregates (such as crushed stones, gravel, pebbles, and granite) and fine aggregates (usually sand and clay).

In modern construction work, aggregates are combined with cement to produce concrete and mortar. Using aggregates gives volume, stability, resistance to wear or erosion, and other desired physical properties to all kinds of structures – buildings, bridges, roads etc.

As you may have guessed, aggregates are the most mined materials in the world.

Operating a mine (or quarry) is very capital-intensive and requires large earth-moving equipment, belt conveyors, and machines specifically designed for crushing and separating various sizes of aggregates. (photo credit: nelandscapesupply.com)

Entrepreneurs who intend to play in this space could buy aggregates from quarry operators and sell them directly to builders in truck loads or much smaller sizes.

#4 – Roofing materials

 

All buildings (especially houses) usually have a roof over them. Roofing materials form the outermost layer on the roof of a building and provides shelter from the natural elements (wind, sunlight and rain) and insulation against heat and cold.

Commercially available roofing materials can range from corrugated iron and aluminum, clay tiles, plastic, fiberglass and concrete.

In choosing roofing materials in Africa, builders and home owners usually consider cost, style and quality, suitability of the material to the climate, low maintenance and long life span. Materials like asbestos (which used to be very common) are becoming increasingly undesirable due to its adverse health effects.

Entrepreneurs who intend to start a business in roofing materials must constantly look out for changes in taste and trends in the market. New products are constantly being developed to overcome the shortcomings of older roofing materials, to meet the demands of modern building techniques, and to conform to increasingly stringent building codes.

There are primarily four main types of roofing that attract different kinds of customers with distinct roofing needs. They are:

• Residential roofing (elite, premium, middle income and low cost)
• Industrial roofing (sheds, factory, storage, cladding)
• Commercial roofing (showrooms, filling stations, hotels, lodges, farms)
• Institutional roofing (schools, church organizations, hospitals and government buildings)

#5 – Plumbing materials

Plumbing usually refers to the system of pipes, drains, fittings, valves, valve assemblies, and devices installed in a building for the distribution of water for drinking, heating and washing, and the removal of human and domestic waste (sewage).

The main categories of plumbing systems include: potable cold and hot tap water supply; drainage venting; septic systems; rainwater, surface, and subsurface water drainage; and fuel gas piping.

The common materials used in modern plumbing include copper, brass and plastic. In fact, more than 70 percent of materials used in today’s plumbing are made of PVC or PEX plastic.

This is because plastic is very flexible, easy to install, has a low cost, does not rust like most metals and can last for a very long time. (photo credit: shivaniagro.com)

A lot of the plumbing materials supplied to local African markets are manufactured locally or imported from overseas. Depending on the taste and requirements of customers, the quality and cost of plumbing materials in the market can vary considerably.

#6 – Steel & Metal products

Steel and metal products are widely used in building and construction. Steel is commonly used to make reinforced concrete that supports structures in buildings, bridges, dams etc.

Steel is made up of iron combined with a small percentage of carbon.

High-carbon or ‘hard’ steel is used to make tools with cutting edges.

Medium- carbon steel is used for critical structural components of buildings such as I-beams, reinforcing bars and frames.

Low- carbon or ‘mild’ steel is used for pipes, nails, screws, door and window hinges, wire, screening, fencing and corrugated roofing sheets.

Metals such as aluminum and copper have become popular building materials due to their ability to resist rust and corrosion.

Copper is used for electric wires, tubing for water supply and for flashing.

Aluminum is most commonly used for roofing sheets, gutters and the accompanying nails.

Brass is another corrosion-resistant alloy of copper and zinc used extensively for building hardware.

Like cement, running a steel production plant is very capital intensive. The business opportunities for entrepreneurs lies in retail and distribution of steel products to home builders and construction contractors.

#7 – Electrical materials and accessories

Electrical materials are the parts and elements used in the electrical system of any building and construction project.

This includes a huge inventory of materials used to supply electric power or telecommunications to different parts of a building and will typically consist of: electrical conduits and fittings, wires and cables, explosion proof enclosures, meters, circuit breakers, connectors, and electrical products such as wiring devices (switches, plugs) and lighting (bulbs).

Solar energy products are becoming a popular way of providing electricity to millions of Africans who are not connected to the grid.

Entrepreneurs, like Tanzania’s Patrick Ngowi, are building million dollar fortunes from providing solar electricity to residential homes and government buildings.

While some of the electrical materials mentioned above are made locally, a variety of brands are imported from North America, Europe and Asia and may be preferred for their higher quality.

Before entering this business, entrepreneurs must ensure that they are well aware of customer preferences in their area.

#8 – Glass
Glass is fast becoming one of the most preferred materials of modern building architecture.

Clear windows have been used since the invention of glass to cover small openings in buildings and provide us with the ability to both let light into rooms while at the same time keeping undesirable weather outside.

Glass controls light, letting in the good rays and keeping out the bad ones; it also saves on energy costs by providing natural day lighting. As a result, more designers are finding that glass fits quite nicely into today’s green building environment.

Other qualities that make glass such a hot-selling building material include its roles in heat, sound, fire and solar protection. It also provides an interesting means of design and electromagnetic dampening.

Glass sold on the African market is of varying types (reinforced, laminated and tempered) for all kinds of uses. Glass has also found popular use as a decorative material in designing building exteriors.

Entrepreneurs can source glass from both local and foreign glazers.

#9 – Paints

Paints are applied to interior and exterior walls of buildings to make them beautiful, enhance texture and protect from cracks, wear and tear.

There are paints of all colors and types in the market which typically include: emulsions (water-based paints), matte finish, gloss, varnish, enamel and lacquers.

A growing number of local businesses now manufacture paints to compete with dominant foreign brands.

#10 Bricks and Ceramic 

Bricks and Ceramic are applied to interior and exterior walls of buildings to make them beautiful, enhance texture and protect from cracks, wear and tear.

A growing number of local businesses now manufacture paints to compete with dominant foreign brands.