Kenya's East African Cables plans to increase its presence to 12 countries in Africa by 2012.
 
With operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, the cable maker's export volumes accounted for 57% of its turnover in 2008, compared with 31% previously.

Chief executive George Mwangi told investors the company is preparing for a strategic market expansion drive, adding that the firm would commission a new copper production line by the end of the year.

The new unit in the firm's Nairobi plant is expected to boost East African Cables' production capacity by more than 60%. The company plans to spend $5 million on the line and capacity enhancements in its Tanzanian plant.