Ruth Butaumocho, HUNAN, China
CHINESE heavy equipment manufacturer SANY says Africa has become one of its fastest-growing markets, with revenue from the continent reaching about US$1,16 billion in 2025, as its mining and construction equipment continues to dominate major projects, including in Zimbabwe.
The figure represents about 15 percent of SANY Heavy Industry’s US$7,83 billion international revenue and reflects a 55,29 percent year-on-year growth, the fastest across all its overseas regions, a company spokesperson said in an interview here.
“SANY has been working with African customers since 2002, when our first motor graders arrived in Morocco, and we are here for the long term,” the spokesperson said.
SANY operates 17 overseas bases globally and says its commitment to Africa is long-term, anchored on service engineers, spare parts availability and training for local technicians.
On Zimbabwe, the spokesperson said the country is an important market where its equipment is dominant in most mines.
“We appreciate the trust Zimbabwe’s mining companies have placed in SANY and Zimbabwe is an important market for us.
“Our commitment to Africa is long-term and you can see it in what we do on the ground: service engineers, parts and training for local technicians,” the spokesperson said.
Across Africa, the company’s most common and prominent products are excavators and mining trucks, largely used in mining, infrastructure and ports.
According to the company, what customers value most is lower operating cost and reliable support in tough conditions.
The spokesperson cited operations at a manganese mine in Ghana, where SANY hybrid mining trucks have cut fuel use by more than 14 percent, while battery-electric trucks are now operating at a gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Service matters just as much. In Tanzania, our engineers have travelled more than 500 km in the rainy season to get a customer’s machines back to work.
“That alone attests to the company’s commitment to give the best service to its customers,” the spokesperson said.
During the tour at SANY’s head office in Hunan, hundreds of electric-powered trucks were being assembled in a highly automated factory, with a single truck being assembled in an average of 20 minutes.
The factory also produces solar panels, batteries and inverters.
On its future outlook in Africa, SANY is optimistic about a positive trajectory.
“Africa is where we see some of our strongest momentum. We believe the next chapter will be shaped by Africa’s own priorities: mining that is cleaner and more efficient, infrastructure that connects markets and power that mines and communities can rely on.
“Our role is to be the partner that helps customers get there, with machines that keep working and support that stays close to them,” the spokesperson said.
