Voices of Truth-to-Power Launch Construction Expo 2021

Today’s opening summit of The African Construction and Totally Concrete Digital Expo 2021 was filled with powerful speakers, in the strongest showing of an inclusive Construction Sector yet.

Running until 25 August, and hosting over 2000 built environment professionals from southern Africa’s public and private sectors, days 2 and 3 are filled with the equally strong voices and powerful panelists setting the agenda for a sector primed for powerful, inclusive development. You don’t have to miss out, as registration for visitors remains open.

The key highlight of the day, which you can watch here, was the Stakeholder Engagement Forum powered by NAFBI. The empowering thread throughout the sessions and conversations was our collective resilience. We will be back tomorrow morning at 09:00 with our digital expo, CPD accredited workshops and the African Smart Cities Summit.

The African Smart Cities Summit will include a number of prominent continental and global experts who will inspire the development and management of smart cities. Featured participants include, Nigeria’s Representative at the 3rd General Assembly of the African Union, Economic, Social & Cultural Council, Honourable Minister Oba John Adebusuyi; President & Founder of the African Smart Cities Innovation Foundation, David Olatunji, and South Africa’s Trevor Rammitlwa, Chief Executive Officer, National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa. Download the programme here.

With a strong emphasis on recovery, economic-growth, job creation and enterprise development – with inclusive transformation as a guiding principle – the event comes at the perfect time. This week, South Africa’s Department of Public Works released its National Infrastructure Plan 2050 (NIP 2050) for public comment, energising sector professionals around a framework for discussion benefitting all regional development.

With over 20 industry associations and bodies (including the National African Federation for the Building Industry and The South African Institute of Civil Engineering) supporting the three-day event, features include:

• Stakeholders Engagement Forum focused on economic recovery for inclusive growth (watch it here).
•  Plenary Pane on 24 August, unpacking the opportunities for innovative funding and investment for smart-city development;
• CPD-accredited Workshops across various construction disciplines
• Digital Exhibition Showcase featuring over 60 manufacturers of services and products valuable to southern Africa’s construction sector.

Notable South African government participation includes newly appointed National Human Settlements Minister, Honourable Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Gauteng’s Provincial MEC of Human Settlements Mr Lebogang Maile.

“We support the ultimate goal of government to to rebuild a vibrant and empowered civil construction and supplier sector through NIPS2050…but the implementation thereof is going to be critical if it is to succeed…this will, no doubt, be a key discussion point during the Stakeholder Forum on 23 August,” says Aubrey Tshalata President of National African Federation for the Building Industry. “We have been a keen and active partner of the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo since 2016, and pleased that dmg events continue to ensure that transformation and SMME development is placed at the centre of the agenda… both play an ever-more critical role in building, advancing and innovating Southern Africa’s construction industry,” concludes Tshalata

“The African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo and its collocated events remain a significant contributor to economic growth, recovery and transformation of southern Africa’s construction industry and is an essential enabler of buyer and seller engagements. The digital event, will provide an impactful platform for engagement, skills development, lead generation and knowledge, which will ultimately drive business growth and support the sectors recovery,” says Portfolio Director, Tracy-Lee Behr, organiser of the event.

Click here for free visitor registration, or for more information visit www.africanconstructionexpo.com