Kenya boasts one of Africa's best economies, thus home to some of the largest companies cutting across various sectors. From banking and finance to telecommunications, to manufacturing, the country is represented should industry leaders be ranked.

The Devki Group of Companies often just known as Devki Group is among the multiple companies flying the Kenyan flag beyond the borders. The multi-billion industrial conglomerate has subsidiaries in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Billionaire businessman Narendra Raval serves as the Executive chairman of Devki Group and is also the majority shareholder in all the subsidiaries.

In 2015, Forbes reported the company's annual revenue at $650 million, ranking as one of the best-performing companies in Kenya and the region. Raval's net worth at the time was stated to be over $500 million, earning him a spot as one of Africa's wealthiest.

Headquartered along Ruiru-Kamiti Road in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Devki Group is an industry leader in manufacturing steel, roofing sheets, cement, fertilisers, and a variety of bags and also provides aviation services.

All the services are provided independently through the group's subsidiaries which include;

Devki Steel Mills - Starting as a single tube mill located in Athi River, Kenya, Devki Steel Mills Limited has diversified and grown over more than 2 decades into arguably one of the largest multi-product steel manufacturers in Kenya. The mill has factories in Ruiru, Athi River and Mombasa and serves the market by supplying a wide range of steel products with Diamond mark of Quality at economical costs.

Devki Group recently announced the construction of a Ksh45 billion steel plant in Kwale County. The upcoming factory will be a state-of-the-art facility with the latest machinery to produce Virgin Steel in Kenya.

According to Devki, the Kwale factory will be the second-best facility after South Africa on the African continent to produce virgin steel from iron ore. 

It is estimated to employ over 1000 people upon completion.

National Cement Company Limited (NCCL) - The subsidiary manufactures and distributes cement and paving blocks. It is responsible for the popular Simba cement brand.

NCCl was the third major diversification and growth initiative of the Devki Group. The company commenced production and supply of cement in 2010 under the brand name, Simba Cement.

Sensing the growing demand for Simba Cement, NCCL expanded the grinding capacity by 5 times in 2013 and began to export cement to neighbouring countries. To minimize dependency on the international market for the supply of core raw materials, the company set up a clinker plant in Merueshi.

Devki Group commissioned the Cemtech Limited Clinker Plant in West Pokot County on Monday, April 8, 2024. 

In 2018, the conglomerate formed NCCL Uganda to construct and operate a Portland Cement Plant. According to the company website, it employs over 1200 people.

Maisha Mabati Mills - It was established in 2009, to meet the growing requirements for quality roofing at affordable pricing. With a focus on durable, functional, strong and cost-effective products, Maisha Mabati built the 3rd fastest state-of-the-art alu-zinc plant in Africa in 2013 at Ruiru.

The mill supplies alu-zinc and colour-coated steel roofing sheets under the brand name Maisha Alu-zinc in the local and regional markets.

Maisha Minerals & Fertiliser Limited - Devki Group through the subsidiary has purposed to contribute towards national food sustainability through quality farm minerals and fertiliser. The company acquired the Mavuno Fertiliser brand which was established in 2003.

Northwood Aviation Agencies Limited - It was formed in 2015 to enable easy and fast access to distant and difficult sites through the availability of helicopter services within the Devki Group.

Northwood boasts experienced crew members with over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry.

The company has three helicopters; Model AS 350 B3 (5Y-DVK), Model AS 350 B2 (5Y-EVG), and Model EC 130 T2 (5Y-NCC).

The fleet is always available to charter for the following purposes; surveys, long line lifting, medical evacuations, security flights, valuables in transit, fire fighting, security operations, cash in transit, high voltage power line surveys, and crew changes.

Other charter services include; executive transfers and charters, customised operations, wildlife conservation, anti-poaching surveillance, tourist explorations, and access to rural areas.

Maisha Packaging Company Limited - Established in 2014, the company manufactures high-quality Woven Polypropylene (WPP) bags, ideal for automated filling and packing. These are stronger and more durable than paper bags.

The variety of bags manufactured includes; Bottom Block Cement Bags, Granite & Marble Bags, Fertilizer Bags, Mineral Bags, Nails Bag, Tile Adhesive Bags and all kinds of AGRO Bags.

The machinery at Maisha Packaging are fully automatic Starlinger Machinery from Austria, which is currently the best in the world. The factory manufactures 100% customized PP Valve Sacks with any customized size, colour, and GSM. They consist of UV Protection from 200 to 1600 hours, also being high strength with increased tear resistance.

The WPP Bags are economical, recyclable, and reusable and contain a valve for easy filling with each being hermetically sealed so cannot be tampered with.

Athi River Mining (ARM) Cement - In May 2019, Devki Group bailed out the sinking ARM Cement Plc in a $50 million (Ksh5.05 billion at the time) deal to acquire the company's operations in Kenya.

ARM is known for its flagship product Rhino Cement.

In March 2022, Raval invested an additional Ksh1.8 billion into upgrading the company's fertiliser plant - tripling its output to 300,000 metric tonnes per year. The plant was renamed to Maisha Minerals & Fertiliser Limited.

Cimerwa Cement Limited - Located in Bugarama, Rusizi District in the Western Province of Rwanda, the factory was acquired by Devki Group in January 2024 for a whopping $84.3 million (Ksh13.6 billion at the exchange rates at that time).

Banking

In a 2019 interview with Marcopolis, Raval revealed that he started his company with a $70,000 loan from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) - to which he has remained a client for over 40 years.

However, Devki Group recently moved 30-40 per cent of its business to Stanbic Bank citing better rates and customer service. Raval maintained that the conglomerate will still continue to bank with KCB.

Stanbic has since provided a Ksh4.3 billion facility to NCCL, adding that it had provided the Devki Group subsidiary with a comprehensive financial solution including local currency term debt and customised foreign currency forwards.

"The Ksh4.3 billion term debt facility will empower National Cement to continue delivering high-quality construction inputs at competitive prices, furthering economic and infrastructure development initiatives. As a key supplier across East Africa, National Cement's operations are integral to driving growth and prosperity in the region," Stanbic said in a statement.