
Big 5 Construct Ethiopia spotlights opportunities in $67 billion construction market from 26-28 June 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
The event is endorsed by Ethiopia's Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, taking place at Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa
Ethiopia's construction market is supported by major projects including the La Gare, Abusera International Airport and Mesob Tower
The launch of East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo supports $395 billion infrastructure market
Ethiopia's construction market is valued at $67 billion, driven by the country's economic growth priorities under its Ten-Year Development Plan 2020-30 (Source: ABiQ). Supporting this ambition, the 2025 edition of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, the country's largest construction event, will take place from 26-28 June at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. Endorsed by the Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure, the event connects international companies with regional opportunities, enabling business networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Co-located with Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, the inaugural East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, broadens the event's impact by engaging government representatives, utilities service providers, regulators and public project owners. This expanded focus strengthens regional cooperation and supports critical infrastructure development across East Africa.
This comes at a time, as Ethiopia accelerates investment in transformative projects across transport, water, power and ICT. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Mesob Tower, airport expansions and major expressway projects are some of the region's mega projects and modernization initiatives. From residential properties to logistics hubs, Ethiopia's pipeline of multi-billion-dollar projects, including the $1.5 billion La Gare urban redevelopment and the $7.8 billion Abusera International Airport, is attracting growing interest from construction firms, material suppliers and technology providers.
'The launch of East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo alongside Big 5 Construct Ethiopia supports Ethiopia's development vision by enabling the exchange of expertise, technology and investment,' said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. 'With Ethiopia's infrastructure market valued at $395 billion, these events allow international companies to form strategic partnerships with Ethiopian and East African stakeholders, enabling knowledge exchange and creating opportunities to realize some of the region's construction and infrastructure goals (Source: ABiQ).' International exhibitors and country pavilions
The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to engage with over 230 exhibitors, including international and local brands that will showcase high-quality products, materials and technologies tailored to Ethiopia's growing construction and infrastructure demands. Some of these include Jotun and Asian Paint, known for durable coatings and finishes; NAFFCO, a leader in firefighting equipment, fire protection, alarm and safety systems; USG, manufacturer of interior construction products; Emirates National Copper Factory, an electrical and construction-grade copper solutions provider; and SCAFFCO, a recognized major player providing efficient scaffolding and formwork solutions.
The event also welcomes first-time exhibitors such as Signify (Philips Lighting), known for high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solutions ; Thomsun Industries, a brand in the building materials sector; and Bitumat, a manufacturer of advanced waterproofing and roofing solutions; further expanding the range of solutions on display and the growing demand in the sector.
Country pavilions from Germany, Türkiye, China, Italy and India, among others, highlight rising international interest in the market. Across Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, exhibitors will cover sectors such as Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Services, building materials, construction tools & personal protection equipment, heavy construction equipment, digital construction and more. Meanwhile, East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will spotlight solutions in smart cities, urban mobility, waste and water management, power and communications infrastructure. Knowledge sharing and CPD-certified talks
Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo feature CPD-certified talks and practical sessions focused on regional priorities, offering valuable opportunities to learn, connect with decision-makers and engage with government entities and industry leaders. Big 5 Talks will cover sessions on architecture and design, project management, technology and sustainable building materials. New themed programmes, Infra360 and Water360, will explore practical solutions to East Africa's infrastructure and water challenges, from smart systems and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to resource-efficient technologies and urban resilience.
East Africa Infrastructure & Water Summit, a premium, invite-only programme, will convene policymakers, project owners and technical experts to explore unique strategies and infrastructure development pathways for the region. 'Urbanization across Ethiopia and the wider East African region is creating new business opportunities at an unprecedented pace. Big 5 Construct Ethiopia alongside the East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, will support and accelerate this growth,' concluded Heijmans.
Registration for the free-to-attend events is now open for trade and industry professionals over 18.
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Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Big 5 Construct Ethiopia spotlights opportunities in $67 billion construction market from 26-28 June 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
The event is endorsed by Ethiopia's Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, taking place at Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa Ethiopia's construction market is supported by major projects including the La Gare, Abusera International Airport and Mesob Tower The launch of East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo supports $395 billion infrastructure market Ethiopia's construction market is valued at $67 billion, driven by the country's economic growth priorities under its Ten-Year Development Plan 2020-30 (Source: ABiQ). Supporting this ambition, the 2025 edition of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, the country's largest construction event, will take place from 26-28 June at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. Endorsed by the Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure, the event connects international companies with regional opportunities, enabling business networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration. Co-located with Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, the inaugural East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, broadens the event's impact by engaging government representatives, utilities service providers, regulators and public project owners. This expanded focus strengthens regional cooperation and supports critical infrastructure development across East Africa. This comes at a time, as Ethiopia accelerates investment in transformative projects across transport, water, power and ICT. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Mesob Tower, airport expansions and major expressway projects are some of the region's mega projects and modernization initiatives. From residential properties to logistics hubs, Ethiopia's pipeline of multi-billion-dollar projects, including the $1.5 billion La Gare urban redevelopment and the $7.8 billion Abusera International Airport, is attracting growing interest from construction firms, material suppliers and technology providers. 'The launch of East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo alongside Big 5 Construct Ethiopia supports Ethiopia's development vision by enabling the exchange of expertise, technology and investment,' said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. 'With Ethiopia's infrastructure market valued at $395 billion, these events allow international companies to form strategic partnerships with Ethiopian and East African stakeholders, enabling knowledge exchange and creating opportunities to realize some of the region's construction and infrastructure goals (Source: ABiQ).' International exhibitors and country pavilions The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to engage with over 230 exhibitors, including international and local brands that will showcase high-quality products, materials and technologies tailored to Ethiopia's growing construction and infrastructure demands. Some of these include Jotun and Asian Paint, known for durable coatings and finishes; NAFFCO, a leader in firefighting equipment, fire protection, alarm and safety systems; USG, manufacturer of interior construction products; Emirates National Copper Factory, an electrical and construction-grade copper solutions provider; and SCAFFCO, a recognized major player providing efficient scaffolding and formwork solutions. The event also welcomes first-time exhibitors such as Signify (Philips Lighting), known for high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solutions ; Thomsun Industries, a brand in the building materials sector; and Bitumat, a manufacturer of advanced waterproofing and roofing solutions; further expanding the range of solutions on display and the growing demand in the sector. Country pavilions from Germany, Türkiye, China, Italy and India, among others, highlight rising international interest in the market. Across Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, exhibitors will cover sectors such as Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Services, building materials, construction tools & personal protection equipment, heavy construction equipment, digital construction and more. Meanwhile, East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will spotlight solutions in smart cities, urban mobility, waste and water management, power and communications infrastructure. Knowledge sharing and CPD-certified talks Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo feature CPD-certified talks and practical sessions focused on regional priorities, offering valuable opportunities to learn, connect with decision-makers and engage with government entities and industry leaders. Big 5 Talks will cover sessions on architecture and design, project management, technology and sustainable building materials. New themed programmes, Infra360 and Water360, will explore practical solutions to East Africa's infrastructure and water challenges, from smart systems and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to resource-efficient technologies and urban resilience. East Africa Infrastructure & Water Summit, a premium, invite-only programme, will convene policymakers, project owners and technical experts to explore unique strategies and infrastructure development pathways for the region. 'Urbanization across Ethiopia and the wider East African region is creating new business opportunities at an unprecedented pace. Big 5 Construct Ethiopia alongside the East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, will support and accelerate this growth,' concluded Heijmans. Registration for the free-to-attend events is now open for trade and industry professionals over 18.


Egypt Independent
27-05-2025
- Egypt Independent
Egypt warns of regional escalations over Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty revealed that the current stalemate on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis could lead to renewed tensions in the region, given the escalating dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia and the failure to reach an agreement. During his participation in the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum held by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo, the Egyptian Foreign Minister assured that Egypt is working to maintain stability, and referred to several points of tension in the region, including incidents in Sudan and the situation in the Gaza Strip. Egypt suspended talks with Ethiopia over the GERD more than a year ago due to Addis Ababa's intransigence in the negotiations and its attempts to buy time to complete the dam. Rising water tensions The GERD is one of the most controversial issues in the Horn of Africa, a source of ongoing tension between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan since Ethiopia began its construction on the Blue Nile in 2011. The Ethiopian dam, the largest hydropower project in Africa, aims to generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, doubling Ethiopia's energy production and providing electricity to nearly 60 percent of its population, which suffers from energy shortages. The dam raises concerns for Egypt and Sudan, which rely heavily on the Nile's waters, as the Blue Nile provides approximately 85 percent of the Nile's total flow. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for over 98 percent of its water needs, considers the dam an existential threat to its water security. Cairo fears that filling and operating the dam without a binding agreement will reduce its water share, potentially impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and the economy as a whole. Stagnant talks In September 2023, Ethiopia announced the completion of the fourth and final phase of filling the dam's reservoir, sparking fierce Egyptian protests describing the move as 'illegal.' Egypt also expressed concern that Ethiopia could use the dam for political purposes, such as controlling water flow as a leverage. Ethiopia views the dam as a vital development project to eradicate poverty and provide electricity to its population of more than 123 million, nearly half of whom lack access to electricity. The Ethiopian government has asserted that the dam will not cause significant harm to the riparian states and that it is committed to the principles of equitable utilization of the Nile's waters, in accordance with the 2015 Declaration of Principles. However, Ethiopia has refused to sign legally binding agreements specifying how the dam will be managed during droughts. Negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan stalled in late 2023 due to what Egypt described as 'Ethiopia's intransigence' and its refusal to accept compromises that safeguard the interests of the three countries.


Mid East Info
15-05-2025
- Mid East Info
Big 5 Construct South Africa returns for its 12th edition, catering to the country's $125 billion construction market
South Africa's construction industry is e xpected to record an average annual growth of 3.5% from 2026 to 2028, supported by public and private sector investments in infrastructure Inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo supports the country's development spending to boost port, rail, road infrastructure and water and sanitation The event features over 250 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, highlighting the latest products, services, systems and solutions to support the delivery of mega projects in the country South Africa's government has committed more than $50 billion over the next decade towards construction and infrastructure development (source: Construct South Africa ). Aligning with the country's ambitious plan, the 12 th edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa and the inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will take place from 18 – 20 June 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Construction and infrastructure development are key to South Africa's economic growth, social progress and sustainability. With a $125 billion construction market and a $193 billion infrastructure market, the sectors support the National Development Plan 2030 and National Infrastructure Plan 2050 goals (sources: ABiQ). The inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo directly addresses these pressing needs. 'The launch of South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo alongside the 12 th edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa reflects the ongoing transformation of the country's construction and infrastructure landscape,' said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. 'These events align with national development priorities by enabling knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships that will accelerate the delivery of mega projects, boost economic growth and enhance quality of life. As South Africa ramps up investment in construction, infrastructure, water and sanitation, the events will drive international collaboration to support these critical initiatives.' International exhibitors drive industry momentum This year, visitors will have the opportunity to network and do business with a diverse line-up of exhibitors from over 20 countries, including Bahrain, Malaysia, Spain, Türkiye, the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Poland and more. Over 250 exhibitors will showcase unique products and services under diverse construction sectors, including concrete & cement, technology, building interiors & finishes, heavy construction equipment, machinery & vehicles, alongside the new sector for this year, power infrastructure & water management infrastructure. Building on the industry's growing prominence in the region, the exhibition also welcomes several prominent first-time exhibitors, including Bostik, a global leader in smart adhesive solutions; Muziset Fiberglass Sheeting, manufacturer of high-quality fibreglass sheeting; We Lift Solutions, provider of advanced lifting and construction equipment; Stanley Black & Decker South Africa, supplier of trusted tools and industrial solutions; and Olympic Paints, known for premium yet affordable solutions and AI-powered colour tools, among others. 'Big 5 Construct South Africa offers a powerful platform to connect with key decision-makers, showcase our innovations, and explore new market opportunities,' said Keneilwe Nawane, Commercial Director, DeWalt South Africa. 'As a first-time exhibitor, we are excited to be part of such a dynamic event that brings together the region's top construction players and drives industry growth.' CPD-certified sessions empower industry professionals Big 5 Construct South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo offer several knowledge-sharing opportunities across a diverse range of content programmes, allowing visitors to meet with key decision-makers, government entities and industry leaders. Through CPD-certified sessions, the event empowers industry professionals to share knowledge and advance their careers. Sessions at Big 5 Talks will provide practical insights across core industry themes such as project management, architecture & design, technology and sustainability, delivered by expert speakers. This year, the event will also host the Infra360 Talks and Water360 Talks, offering actionable insights into South Africa's most pressing infrastructure and water challenges. Covering critical themes from smart infrastructure, mega projects and public-private partnerships to water efficiency, smart management systems and climate resilience, these sessions will spotlight sustainable strategies, emerging technologies and investment opportunities shaping the future of urban development and resource management in the region. Exclusive access to sustainable infrastructure and water solutions New in 2025, the pay-to-attend South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum will include insightful discussions led by thought leaders, policy makers and innovators on themes, including sustainable infrastructure, water projects, unlocking investment and project partnerships. 'As the region continues to prioritize infrastructure and economic transformation, Big 5 Construct South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will allow attendees to reconnect with the industry and facilitate growth and advancement for their ongoing and upcoming projects,' concluded Heijmans. Registration is now open for Big 5 Construct South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure and Water Expo, co-located with WoodEX for Africa and Transport Evolution Africa, with free admission to trade and industry professionals over 18.