How to choose consulting engineers in East Africa

The right consulting engineer depends on your project, its country and the responsibility you need them to carry. Before comparing fees, check who is allowed to do the work and exactly what you are buying.

Start with registration

Each country regulates engineering differently. Check the current position with the regulator before you appoint anyone.

• Kenya: the Engineers Board of Kenya registers consulting engineers and firms.
• Tanzania: the Engineers Registration Board requires firms offering professional engineering services to be registered, including foreign firms with a contract there.
• Uganda: the Engineers Registration Board has said foreign engineers working in Uganda must be certified.
• Rwanda: Engineers Rwanda keeps a public registry of engineers and firms.
• Ethiopia: confirm licensing rules, particularly for foreign firms, with the relevant ministry or local counsel.

Six questions for any firm

1. Who will sign, and are they registered for this work here?
2. Which disciplines are in-house, and which are subcontracted?
3. Which codes and standards form the design basis?
4. What exactly will you deliver at each stage?
5. How many revisions and site visits does the fee include?
6. Can you show a similar project, with your actual role on it?

Where a remote partner fits

A remote MEP partner can add capacity to a local firm, or give an owner an independent check on drawings and BOQs. It should not replace the registered local professional where one is required, so the appointment must name both roles.

Looking for extra MEP capacity?

Secured Engineers works from India alongside your local team. We do not present ourselves as locally registered in these countries. Discuss your East Africa project.

Sources: Kenya Law: engineers registration rules, ERB Tanzania: registration of firms, Daily Monitor: Uganda foreign engineers, Engineers Rwanda. Confirm current requirements with each regulator.