Business Correspondent
Tanzanian businessman Edha Nahdi is expanding his regional business empire after his Amsons Group agreed to acquire Oryx Energies’ downstream oil business in Tanzania, adding fuel distribution and strategic storage infrastructure to a portfolio that already includes major cement investments in East Africa.
The transaction will transfer Oryx’s retail service stations, fuel storage terminals and distribution infrastructure in Tanzania to Amsons, strengthening the group’s position in the energy and logistics sectors.
The agreement, announced by Oryx Energies comes less than two years after Amsons secured control of Kenya’s Bamburi Cement, highlighting the group’s growing appetite for strategic assets across the region.
Oryx said the sale formed part of its ongoing review of its African downstream assets, while Amsons intends to build on the existing network to pursue further growth opportunities in Tanzania.
Tanzania is strategically positioned as an entry point for petroleum products destined for neighbouring landlocked countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Control of additional storage and distribution infrastructure could therefore strengthen Amsons’ capacity to serve domestic customers while supporting the movement of fuel across regional markets.
Amsons Group managing director Edha Nahdi described the acquisition as a major step in the company’s expansion strategy.
The group said integrating Oryx’s distribution network and storage capabilities would support domestic fuel security and strengthen Tanzania’s position as a regional logistics hub for East and Central Africa.
The transaction also reinforces Amsons’ existing energy interests, which developed from its fuel trading operations before the group expanded into other industrial sectors.
Amsons has steadily diversified beyond petroleum into cement, wheat milling, transport, warehousing and real estate, building a business presence across several African countries.
Its expansion into Kenya’s cement industry has been particularly significant.
In December 2024, Amsons completed its takeover of Bamburi Cement, one of Kenya’s leading cement producers, after acquiring more than 95% of the company’s shares from Swiss building materials group Holcim and other shareholders.
The transaction was valued at approximately 23.6 billion Kenyan shillings, equivalent to about US$180 million at the time.
The acquisition gave Amsons a substantial foothold in Kenya’s construction materials market, complementing its cement operations in Tanzania.
The group subsequently expanded its exposure to Kenya’s cement sector through investments in East African Portland Cement, further strengthening its position in an industry linked to infrastructure development, housing and construction.
The Oryx transaction signals a parallel push to consolidate its position in the energy sector, where storage capacity, distribution networks and reliable supply chains are critical to serving industrial and transport customers.
The acquisition reflects a broader shift in East Africa’s corporate landscape, with regional business groups increasingly pursuing assets that were previously controlled by international companies.
For Amsons, the combination of fuel distribution, storage infrastructure, cement production and logistics could create opportunities to connect different parts of its business, although the scale of any operational integration has not been disclosed.
A stronger position in fuel storage and distribution could be particularly important in a region where transport costs, infrastructure constraints and dependable energy supplies influence the competitiveness of businesses.
