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China Square expands its retail presence in Kenya to seven stores

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

The chain, which has at times been a controversial presence, now has multiple outlets in Nairobi, as well as in Mombasa and Kisumu.

China Square, the Chinese-owned retail chain known for selling affordable products, has expanded its Kenyan presence to seven stores by opening two new outlets: one at the flagship Two Rivers Mall and the other at the Greenspan Mall. Both are in Nairobi.

 

The chain now has multiple outlets in Nairobi, as well as a presence in Mombasa and Kisumu. It began operating in Kenya in 2022 and has at times been a controversial presence.

Photo: China Square via Facebook

In March 2023, for example, small traders marched in their hundreds to the deputy president’s office in Nairobi to demand an end to what they called a ‘China invasion’. According to a BBC report at the time, the traders were concerned that China Square was undercutting their prices. 

 

The China Square store at Two Rivers Mall occupies 700 square metres and is said to account for 10% of the mall’s total floor space. Two Rivers claims to be the largest shopping mall in sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. 

 

Greenspan Mall is located in Donholm, a residential and commercial neighbourhood about 8km east of the central business district. 

 

Further expansion is on the cards 

 

China Square Managing Director Lei Cheng, quoted in a news report by radio station Capital FM, said the retailer has plans for further growth and wants to expand its portfolio to other cities in the country. 

 

According to Trendtype, the emerging markets consultancy, China Square initially imported 90% of its products from China. It now claims to import only 60% of its products, with the rest sourced domestically.  

 

“The growth of China Square is part of a broader pattern of Chinese general merchandise retailers building big-box stores in a number of markets,” Trendtype says. 

 

“In September 2024, a new Chinese superstore opened in a space in Kampala that had previously been an anchor tenancy for Shoprite. In April 2024, the EU Chinatown Supermarket opened in Tamale, northern Ghana, one of several large Chinese stores in the country.” 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.