Honda Motor Co. has launched a new startup, PathAhead Co., Ltd., to commercialise a novel road construction material made from desert sand, with plans to build a production plant in Kenya by 2028.
The venture, created under Honda’s IGNITION new business programme, has developed “Rising Sand,” an artificial aggregate designed to improve the durability and consistency of road-building materials.
PathAhead said it will begin demonstration testing in Kenya in 2027, before expanding trials to Tanzania and South Africa over a three-year period to assess performance under varying climate and traffic conditions.
The company aims to use the results to support large-scale production, starting with a Kenyan plant, followed by facilities in Tanzania and South Africa.
Africa’s road infrastructure gap remains a constraint on economic growth, with only about 20% of roads paved, according to PathAhead estimates. Existing roads also face rapid deterioration, driving up logistics costs.
Rising Sand is produced by granulating fine desert sand into larger, more uniform particles using a proprietary process. The material is expected to last more than 20 years in road applications, compared with roughly 10 years for conventional aggregates, potentially reducing lifecycle costs by about 60%, the company said.
By relying on locally available desert sand and additives, PathAhead expects to offer the material at costs comparable to traditional aggregates, while addressing concerns over the depletion of natural resources such as river sand and crushed stone.
Chief Executive Masayuki Iga said the company aims to tackle infrastructure challenges by improving road durability, adding that stronger transport networks could enhance access to services and economic opportunities.
Honda said it will continue to support the startup through its IGNITION programme, which backs new business ventures developed by employees and external partners.