logo
ConstructAfrica Launches Industry Advisory Board to Drive Strategic Infrastructure Dialogue Across Africa

ConstructAfrica Launches Industry Advisory Board to Drive Strategic Infrastructure Dialogue Across Africa

Zawya07-05-2025

ConstructAfrica (www.ConstructAfrica.com), the leading platform for market intelligence, thought leadership, and news on construction and infrastructure across the African continent, is proud to announce the formation of the ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board (CIAB). This newly established board brings together a distinguished group of global and African leaders committed to shaping the future of infrastructure development across Africa.
The CIAB is composed of seasoned professionals from leading construction firms, national infrastructure agencies, academia, multilateral development institutions, private equity, and global finance. Its members include internationally recognized infrastructure leaders, Chief Executives, Directors, a University Vice Chancellor, academic experts, and experienced financial and investment professionals — each offering invaluable insight and extensive global networks.
The mission of the CIAB is to provide strategic guidance, promote collaboration, and support ConstructAfrica's vision of delivering trusted intelligence that enables evidence-based decision-making in Africa's infrastructure ecosystem. The board will serve as a catalyst for constructive dialogue, policy insight, investment mobilisation and innovation.
Dr. Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, appointed as Chair of the CIAB, stated:
'It is a privilege to lead the ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board at a time when Africa's infrastructure agenda is more critical than ever. This initiative brings together a powerful coalition of experience, expertise, and vision — committed to shaping a resilient, inclusive, and investment-ready infrastructure landscape. ConstructAfrica plays a vital role in equipping stakeholders with trusted, actionable intelligence, and the Advisory Board will amplify this impact by driving thought leadership, collaboration, capacity building, and strategic alignment across sectors and borders.'
ConstructAfrica's Founder&Publisher, Dr Segun Faniran, added:
'The formation of the Industry Advisory Board marks a major milestone in our growth journey. With the leadership of Dr. Ogunshakin and the collective strength of our Board members, we are poised to expand our influence and deepen our engagement with both public; Government, Multilateral institutions, and private sector; developers, client, investors, contractors, operators, technologists, and wider continental stakeholders.'
Members of the ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board (CIAB):
Dr Nelson Ogunshakin FREng, OBE Chair, AEO Group&Board Director HS2 Ltd – UK
Derreck Omath, DG, Infrastructure Agency, Seychelles
Malani Padayachee-Saman, CEO MPAMOT, South Africa
Gilbert Sassine OFR, CEO, Cranebury Construction, Nigeria
Matthew Jordan Tank, Director, EBRD, UK
Dr Olubukola Tokede, Senior Lecturer, Deakin University, Australia
Rachel More-Oshodi, CEO/MD ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, Nigeria
Eng Amanuel Hailemariam, GM, Association of Civil Engineers, Ethiopia
Chris Campbell, CEO, Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), South Africa
Mark Worrell, CEO, Estate and Infrastructure Exchange (EIX), UK
Professor Dr Khumbulani Mpofu, Vice Chancellor, Solusi University, Zimbabwe
Dr Segun Faniran Founder&Publisher, ConstructAfrica, UAE
Jenni Chamberlain, Founder&CEO, Altree Capital, Switzerland,
Richard Stockdale, Senior Non-Executive Director, DAR Global Plc, UAE
(Complete member list and biography are published at www.ConstructAfrica.com)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ConstructAfrica.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Dr Segun Faniran
Founder&Publisher
Email: hello@constructafrica.com
Phone: +971 56 566 4792
Website: www.ConstructAfrica.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuwait Real Estate and IFA sign Dh198 million agreement with Darwish Engineering
Kuwait Real Estate and IFA sign Dh198 million agreement with Darwish Engineering

Khaleej Times

time4 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Kuwait Real Estate and IFA sign Dh198 million agreement with Darwish Engineering

Kuwait Real Estate Company, in collaboration with its subsidiary IFA Hotels and Resorts, has announced the signing of a contract with Darwish Engineering, one of the leading construction companies in the UAE, to develop the infrastructure works for its residential project 'Al Tay Hills' in Sharjah, with a total value of Dh198 million. The contract was signed through Qaryat Al Nakheel Real Estate, the executive arm of the project and a subsidiary of Kuwait Real Estate. The scope of work includes the design and implementation of core infrastructure, such as the construction of sewage networks, a wastewater treatment plant, two water pumping stations, in addition to road networks, stormwater drainage, and networks for electricity, telecommunications, and water. On this occasion, Khaled Esbaitah, Chairman of IFA Hotels and Resorts, stated: 'Our agreement with Darwish Engineering, a company with a strong track record in the construction sector, marks a significant milestone in our vision to develop integrated urban projects that elevate standards of quality and innovation in the real estate market.' He added: 'We are confident that this collaboration will bring a qualitative leap in the development of Al Tay Hills' infrastructure, enhancing its investment appeal and establishing it as a modern urban destination. We see this partnership as a pivotal step towards achieving our vision of building smart and sustainable residential communities.' Bahaa Al-Nahwi, General Manager of Darwish Engineering, emphasized that the contract to implement the infrastructure works for the 'Al Tay Hills' project represents a new strategic milestone that reflects their firm commitment to delivering integrated engineering solutions that elevate the standard of urban development projects in Sharjah. He noted that the company will mobilize all its expertise and technical resources to deliver this vital project according to the approved timeline and in alignment with the highest technical and engineering standards. Al Tay Hills is considered one of the largest residential projects in Sharjah, spanning over 6 million square feet and comprising 1,100 residential units, including villas and townhouses. It boasts a strategic location on Emirates Road and features the longest green river in the region, stretching 2.5 km. The first phase is expected to be delivered in Q1 2028. Since its launch, Al Tay Hills has recorded remarkable success, demonstrated by high investor and buyer interest, reflecting its prestigious position as one of the most prominent residential destinations in Sharjah. The increasing demand for luxury units that combine modern design with a prime location underscores the project's value. These results affirm the project's capability to meet the needs of customers seeking to invest in a comprehensive residential community offering a promising future vision.

Zimbabwe's Gas Future Gains Momentum as Invictus Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Zimbabwe's Gas Future Gains Momentum as Invictus Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Zawya

time7 hours ago

  • Zawya

Zimbabwe's Gas Future Gains Momentum as Invictus Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Scott Macmillan, Founder and Managing Director of Invictus Energy, will speak at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town -, bringing critical insight into Zimbabwe's burgeoning upstream sector. His participation comes at a pivotal time, as Invictus spearheads Zimbabwe's first confirmed commercial gas discovery at the Cabora Bassa Basin, marking a major milestone in the country's pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and regional trade integration. The Mukuyu gas field, located in the Cabora Bassa project area, represents Zimbabwe's entrance into the league of African gas producers. Following successful exploration results and the award of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment approvals, Invictus is now advancing the project towards commercialization. The company recently secured the green light to begin pilot production activities, including supplying gas to the Eureka Gold Mine gas-to-power project – a step that not only monetizes gas resources but also supports domestic power generation. Building on this momentum, Invictus has selected the Musuma-1 well for its next high-impact drilling campaign. Situated outside the Mukuyu discovery area, the well targets an estimated 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate, unlocking further potential within the greater Cabora Bassa Basin. This next phase aims to de-risk additional stacked targets and expand Zimbabwe's upstream footprint in a region with significant geological potential. 'Invictus Energy's progress in unlocking Zimbabwe's natural gas potential exemplifies the critical role upstream exploration and development play in Africa's energy transition. The Cabora Bassa project is a flagship example of how new resources can power economic growth while supporting cleaner energy solutions,' said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. Invictus' progress aligns with the broader goals of AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 – the continent's premier platform for energy investment and project development. As Zimbabwe works to diversify its energy mix and leverage its natural resources for industrial growth, the participation of companies like Invictus sends a clear message to global investors: Zimbabwe is open for energy business. With a focus on exploration, development and monetization of African gas, Invictus Energy's involvement at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will showcase the company's strategic vision, technical capability and role in unlocking new frontiers for investment. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. About African Energy Week (AEW): AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event.

'We sleep much better': Why Zayed Sustainability Prize winner lit up remote Africa
'We sleep much better': Why Zayed Sustainability Prize winner lit up remote Africa

Khaleej Times

time8 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

'We sleep much better': Why Zayed Sustainability Prize winner lit up remote Africa

Spending the first five years of her life in the turmoil of Lebanon's civil war in the early 1980s, Angela Homsi remembers a world without electricity and basic luxuries. That memory shaped her mission to bring clean, sustainable energy to underserved communities, especially in Africa. Now, over four decades later, Homsi is leading Ignite Power, a renewable energy company she co-founded, from a new global headquarters in Abu Dhabi. 'We cannot be more excited by this latest development,' Homsi, winner of the 2024 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Energy category, told Khaleej Times. 'There's no nation out there in the world more aligned with what we want to do and achieve with our impacts than the UAE.' Ignite Power provides solar-powered electricity and internet to some of Africa's most remote communities. The company currently operates in 15 countries and is aiming to reach 100 million people over the next five years. 'We're on a very high growth path, and the UAE is really at the centre of 2.5 to 3 billion people. It's a very strategic location for logistics, economic power, and influence.' Lighting up lives The impact of Ignite's work is far-reaching. In rural Rwanda, the arrival of solar home systems has transformed daily life for families. 'Now, with the lights, we sleep much better,' said Mukande Qwe, a mother of three in Gisagara. 'We used to sleep with the cows before because it wasn't safe to leave them outside due to the many thefts after dark. Now, thanks to the light, we keep them outside, and everybody has more room to sleep comfortably.' Beneficiaries across the country echoed similar stories of transformation. Nakabonye Daforosa, a 70-year-old resident of Rulindo, said: 'My granddaughter is able to do her homework after dark and is getting higher grades. The radio helps me stay updated… the solar torch allows me to walk outside after dark.' Odetta Musabyimana, 58, lives alone in Gisagara. 'I feel much safer with the lights on… I also save 100 francs a month since I don't have to buy petrol anymore. I have time to make mattresses, giving them to neighbours and friends who cannot afford to buy one.' Other households have seen a boost in agricultural output and income. 'Before we had light, we sold 20kg of beans and 30kg of maize, and now we are selling 40kg of beans and 60kg of maize,' said Tasiana Irikunze, a mother of two from Kabunjwiri village. 'When we didn't have light, we lost crops due to rotting. Now we have more time to process them.' Solar-powered irrigation has also made a difference. 'We used to sell 200kg, and now it is 500kg,' said Mukamparaye Jeanne from Kivomo. 'Before, we used a generator and petrol to fuel it, 5L per day… extremely expensive and not even half as beneficial.' For Nsabimana Deogen, a farmer and mother in Rulindo, the benefits are personal and financial. 'With proper light, I can cook clean food, and my family's health has gotten much better for it. The light has given my children time to study and do their homework, their grades are rising, and they have much higher motivation to succeed.' Homsi, now 44, was born in Lebanon in 1980 and moved to Cairo at age five. She later lived in Europe and pursued a career in investment, working with Goldman Sachs and Generation Investment Management, the sustainability fund chaired by former US Vice President Al Gore. 'I always wanted to make an impact on the wider continent,' she said. 'To do something that will change the direction of Africa and the Middle East.' Ignite began not as a company, but as a white paper. 'Most countries in Africa only had around 20 per cent of their population with access to electricity,' Homsi explained. 'Eighty percent were using kerosene lamps, damaging to health, education, and economic development.' The first project was launched in Rwanda after Homsi and her team presented a vision to the country's president. 'We supported writing a proper socio-economic feasibility study on how Rwanda could become the first fully connected country in Africa.' Growth through Abu Dhabi Since receiving the Zayed Sustainability Prize, Homsi said Ignite has grown eightfold. 'That's huge. Above and beyond our own expectation,' she said. The award helped raise visibility and credibility. 'We've always had our head on the ground, making sure every single dollar goes to the deepest possible impact." "The prize helped us tell our story.' One of the company's most promising initiatives is the solar-plus-internet deployment in schools. 'We deployed the first 30 schools right after the prize,' she said. 'That pilot is now shaping the way for the next 10,000 schools in multiple countries.' Homsi believes Abu Dhabi offers the infrastructure and values to support the firm's ambitious growth. 'We've already incorporated in the UAE, finalised office spaces, and started hiring. The office will host our senior management, R&D, business development, procurement, and public affairs roles — functions that cover multi-country operations.' She also plans to deepen ties with UAE universities. 'I dedicate a large amount of my time to education, advocacy, teaching… we need more youth to be inspired, to take over the flame, and carry on the mission.' For Homsi, impact and scale go hand in hand. 'You cannot scale the amount of people you will impact… if you cannot scale your business. It has to be a strong business that attracts top talent and achieves deep, lasting change,' she concluded.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store