QUALITY IN EVERY BUILD
With a longstanding reputation for success in Africa, CSI Construction is committed to quality, safety, and client-centric solutions. Zuh Versi, Director, tells us more about the company’s continuous growth and expansion
Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Kierron Rose
In recent years, Tanzania’s economy has flourished amidst an influx of national growth. The country has piqued the interest of both private and international investors, whose attention has been drawn to the construction industry.
As a result, construction in Tanzania has been forecast to reach a revenue of over USD$7 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.67 percent.
“Africa certainly seems to be thriving at the moment, especially Tanzania. We are seeing a lot of interest from those looking to infiltrate the market,” opens Zuh Versi, Director of CSI Construction (CSI).
As a locally owned and operated Class 1 construction company focused on producing quality products and maintaining high health and safety standards, CSI has worked on a variety of projects within the sector.
“We have had a continuous presence in the mines since 2007 and have completed many projects for Barrick, a well-known, global gold mining company,” Versi reveals.
CSI’s success in mining is largely due to its track record for delivering projects within the promised timeframe, and its ability to conform to health, safety, and environmental requirements.
The company has also worked with manifold other industries, including the construction of 85
well-known bank branches across the country, a number of power stations, and numerous residential and commercial projects.
“Due to our ability to deliver quality products and workmanship that often exceed client expectations, we are able to take the utmost pride in our overall output.”
CSI’s team consists of 120 full-time staff, many of whom have been with the company for up to 30 years, whilst a number of contract staff are also involved in taking numerous projects to completion.
“QUALITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE NOT JUST WORDS IN OUR COMPANY, THEY ARE A BELIEF”
– ZUH VERSI, DIRECTOR, CSI CONSTRUCTION
Kinyerezi Power Station
CSI CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
“Depending on the project, we often employ around 700 staff. We have been extremely fortunate to have found great employees over the years,” reflects Versi.
For over 30 years, CSI has maintained industry-leading status by delivering high-quality construction projects. Boasting a multi-million-dollar turnover, the company strives to continue to specialise in construction services for the healthcare, hospitality, oil and gas, mining, power, and infrastructure industries for years to come.
COUNTLESS CAPABILITIES
As a priority, CSI focuses on maintaining a flexible approach toward its project deliverables. Versi believes that this differentiates the company from the competition.
“We maintain a flexible approach to each project and are constantly
looking for a win-win solution for the client and ourselves,” he outlines.
A reputation for reliable project delivery, and a solution-focused mentality, has earned CSI strong industry relationships and repeat clients.
“All projects have challenges, but it’s how we resolve them that makes all the difference. We are qualityfocused, and we stand by our product, which has resulted in clients returning year on year.”
Owing to its established reputation and unmatched versatility, the company has been offered unique opportunities to deliver construction projects across a wide variety of industries.
Of note, the Bulyanhulu Photon Assay Laboratory at Barrick’s Bulyanhulu Gold Mine in Tanzania was a design and build project completed by CSI - and the first laboratory of its kind in Africa.
“Having completed the project very successfully, and with high praise from Mark Bristow, Barrick’s President, we were awarded a similar project at Barrick’s North Mara Gold Mine,” Versi informs.
Similarly, the company’s involvement in the Malindi Fish Market project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Kinyerezi Power Station project, both in Tanzania, have earned CSI recognition across the country and demonstrated the company’s versatility, which extends to the implementation of sustainable construction in some cases.
“Our recent renovation and maintenance work on the Swiss Embassy in Dar es Salaam involved a large solar power installation, and managed to take the embassy offgrid,” he expands.
More recently, CSI’s involvement in the North Mara Water Plant project, for DRA Global and its subsidiary, Prentec, saw it oversee the construction of a water treatment plant, adding to the company’s growing suite of capabilities.
AFRICA OUTLOOK: HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?
Zuh Versi, Director: “My father was the founder of CSI, but I never expected to follow in his footsteps. In school, I was much more interested in the arts, despite having a knack for physics and maths.
“However, at the age of 18, I accepted a summer job at the company and immediately fell in love with the construction industry. I decided it was what I wanted to do with my career, although I was still not convinced that I wanted to return to Tanzania, or CSI, permanently.
“In 2000, I moved to Canada where I obtained a diploma as well as a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. I worked for a very reputable consulting firm in a small town in Ontario, where I specialised in civil and traffic design, obtaining my license with the Professional Engineers of Ontario.
“In 2011, I took my father up on his offer to return to Tanzania and work for CSI, with the idea of eventually taking the reins. I soon came to appreciate my decision and, to this day, love working for the company.”
CSI – AT A GLANCE
CSI is committed to the continual improvement of its Quality, Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Management System (QHSE MS), in all construction business activities. This is achieved through:
• Complying with applicable QHSE legislation and with any other related requirements to improve the effectiveness of the integrated MS.
• Providing training for all employees for effective implementation, participation, and consultation to improve QHSE performance.
• Delivering quality and timely services at all times to satisfy the needs of its customers, thereby ensuring client satisfaction.
• Taking practicable measures to prevent and eliminate the risks of personal injuries, disabilities, ill health, occupational diseases, near misses, and damage to properties.
• Taking proactive steps towards the conservation and preservation of the environment by minimising or eliminating the impact caused by its construction activities.
• Encouraging active participation from all its employees and business partners towards the achievement of QHSE excellence, performance, and continual improvement of its QHSE MS.
• Systematically evaluating and monitoring the performance of the external provider to ensure quality, health, and safety improvements, whilst encouraging environmental protection.
“WORKING AND PARTNERING WITH RELIABLE AND PROFICIENT SUPPLIERS AND SUBCONTRACTORS IS VITAL FOR ENSURING THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTALISM”
– ZUH VERSI, DIRECTOR, CSI CONSTRUCTION
“We were contracted to provide the civil works for the project, which included the installation of precast concrete panels for the tank walls. However, due to a number of challenges, including the COVID19 pandemic and logistical issues, we ended up fabricating the walls ourselves, and devising a system to cast and stack walls on top of each other,” Versi tells us.
“This essentially saved the client the cost and hassle of temporarily
bringing in the pre-cast panel moulds.”
CSI’s vast range of products and services, coupled with its ability to overcome challenges, reinforces the company’s values of flexible solutions and timely project delivery, no matter what.
SUCCESS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND GROWTH
As a sustainability-conscious organisation, CSI strives to reduce
its impact on the environment. The company is ISO 45001 certified, as well as meeting ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements.
“In addition to industry-standard operating procedures of separating chemicals and treating them, at CSI we also try to reduce our impact. We have a system in place of reducing, reusing, and eventually recycling waste,” Versi explains.
Furthermore, the company provides a water treatment facility on each of its construction sites to avoid the use of single-use plastic bottles.
CSI has also been involved in projects that aim to use an ecofriendly replacement for cement. Although these projects are yet to materialise, and may not be feasible, they demonstrate the company’s inclination to work with clients on sustainable options.
Additionally, CSI has a strict subcontractor policy to optimise
its QHSE practices. Its stringent supplier requirements ensure that the company’s whole supply chain conforms to high sustainability standards.
“Working and partnering with reliable and proficient suppliers and subcontractors is vital for ensuring the quality of our products and their environmentalism,” Versi comments.
In addition to implementing strict sustainability guidelines, CSI often partners with its subcontractors to help them develop and expand. Doing this allows the company to build longterm relationships that both parties can benefit from.
Looking ahead to 2024, there are a lot of projects in the pipeline for CSI that are hoped to continue to contribute to the company’s growth.
“We have grown about 30 percent each year for the past two years, and we are looking very promising for 2024,” Versi divulges.
In addition, CSI is keen to get involved in more sustainable projects and environmentally-friendly options.
Tel: +255 787 188 566
info@csi-construction.cc csi-construction.cc
Plot 127, Nyerere Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
P.O. Box 10795
info@csi-construction.cc
Ph. +255 787 188 566
csi-construction.cc