THE 2026 ONLINE SUMMIT PROGRAMME

Summit Programme
Sessions, Speakers
& Workshops

Plan your two days: explore session timings, meet the speakers and choose your parallel workshops.

27–28 Nov 2026Fully onlineAll times GMT (UTC+0)WAT: add 1 hour · EAT: add 3 hours

Programme subject to change

Session topics and timings remain subject to change.

PRE-SUMMIT · THURSDAY, 26 NOV 2026

Advisory Board Meeting

Online · Private meeting for Advisory Board members.

12:00–13:15 GMT75 minutes · Separate from the public Summit

27 Nov 2026

Leadership, investment & delivery

Government priorities, infrastructure development and practical learning.

09:00–09:05GMT · 5 min

Opening

Opening Remarks & Welcome Address

Welcome to speakers and delegates, an introduction to the Summit’s key themes and focus areas, and the opening video.

Dr. Nelson OgunshakinChairman, ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board

09:05–09:20GMT · 15 min

Keynote

Keynote Presentation

Mike SalawouDirector, Infrastructure, Cities & Urban Development, African Development Bank (AfDB)

09:20–10:05GMT · 45 min

Panel 1 · Fireside chat

Government Infrastructure Leaders: Building Africa’s Future

A Government Leadership Perspective on Infrastructure Development, Construction Growth and Regional Transformation

A strategic dialogue featuring senior government infrastructure leaders from East, West, Southern and North Africa, providing a continental perspective on infrastructure priorities, investment pipelines, policy direction and the reforms required to accelerate Africa’s construction transformation.

Engr. Noimot Salako-OyedeleDeputy Governor, Ogun State, Nigeria

ModeratorJenni Chamberlain · Vice-Chair, ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board

Explore discussion points

Africa’s infrastructure outlook, national development priorities, upcoming projects and government strategies shaping the continent’s construction landscape
Major infrastructure programmes transforming Africa through transport, housing, energy, urban development and public facilities investment
Policy reforms, procurement frameworks and institutional strategies improving infrastructure delivery across African nations
Mobilising infrastructure financing through public-private partnerships, international investment and innovative funding mechanisms
Driving sustainable infrastructure development through climate resilience, green construction practices and future-ready urban planning

10:05–10:15GMT · 10 min

Innovation

Industry Innovation Session 1

Construction excellence and innovations transforming Africa’s infrastructure, with industry case studies on technologies, materials and methodologies, and the challenges overcome in delivering world-class African projects.

Explore discussion points

Use of digital technology and AI
Innovative materials
New construction methodologies
Application of new approaches and ways of working
Innovative funding solutions
Social impact and community transformation

10:15–11:00GMT · 45 min

Panel 2

Projects & Infrastructure Developers Leaders

Designing, Financing and Delivering Africa’s Next Generation of Transformational Infrastructure Projects

Derreck OmathDirector-General, Seychelles Infrastructure Agency

Preston MendenhallGroup COO & Country Head, Rendeavour, Kenya

ModeratorClaire Barclay · Founder & Director, Infra Law, South Africa

Explore discussion points

Identifying bankable infrastructure pipelines amid rising financing constraints and evolving investor risk appetite across African markets
Structuring successful PPP models to unlock private capital participation in large-scale infrastructure development projects across diverse sectors
Aligning national development agendas with commercially viable infrastructure investment strategies, ensuring long-term sustainability and measurable economic impact
Managing land acquisition, permitting and regulatory bottlenecks that significantly delay major infrastructure project planning and execution

11:00–12:00GMT · 60 min

Parallel workshops

Interactive Leadership & Technical Workshops

Choose one of the two parallel workshops for Day 1.

WORKSHOP 01

Sustainability tracking for construction projects with AR and VR

FacilitatorDr. Tokede

WORKSHOP 02

Resolving Contractual Disputes in Africa

FacilitatorRob Morson

12:00–12:05GMT · 5 min

Closing

Chairman’s Closing Remarks & End of Day 1

28 Nov 2026

Innovation, expertise & excellence

Contractor and consultant perspectives, specialist workshops and the Excellence Awards.

09:00–09:05GMT · 5 min

Opening

Welcome & Housekeeping

Welcome to speakers and delegates, key themes and session guidance.

Dr. Nelson OgunshakinChairman, ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board

Opening video to be confirmed.

09:05–09:20GMT · 15 min

Address & report launch

Constructing Africa – Projects, Capital and the Forces Shaping the Next Cycle

Launch of ConstructAfrica’s annual report, “Constructing Africa 2026”.

Dr. Segun FaniranFounder, ConstructAfrica

09:20–10:05GMT · 45 min

Panel 3 · Contractors

Execution Excellence

Overcoming Delivery Challenges and Driving Construction Innovation Across Africa’s Infrastructure Projects

Dr. Erdem ArıoğluVice-Chairman, Yapı Merkezi Construction, Türkiye

ModeratorSneha Abraham · Editorial Lead, ConstructAfrica

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Tackling construction delays, cost overruns and supply chain disruptions affecting project delivery timelines and contractor performance across Africa
Improving contractor capability through advanced construction technologies, automation, modular systems and modern project execution methodologies and standards
Enhancing productivity and workforce efficiency through skills development, training programmes and adoption of digital construction management tools
Managing financial pressures including payment delays, cash flow constraints and contract risk allocation in complex infrastructure projects
Strengthening health, safety and quality assurance standards to meet international benchmarks and improve construction site performance outcomes
Driving sustainability through low-carbon materials, waste reduction practices and environmentally responsible project delivery approaches

10:05–10:15GMT · 10 min

Innovation

Industry Innovation Session 2

Explore discussion points

Use of digital technology and AI
Innovative materials
New construction methodologies
Application of new approaches and ways of working
Innovative funding solutions
Social impact and community transformation

Proposed spotlight: Grand Museum, Egypt. Topic and contributors to be confirmed.

10:15–11:00GMT · 45 min

Panel 4 · Consultants

Consultants Leaders Panel

Redefining Advisory Excellence: Engineering Smarter, Sustainable and Data-Driven Infrastructure Across Africa

Grace BemaPartner, BCHOD Consulting Engineers, Zimbabwe

ModeratorRaphael Ani · Global Head, Construction Markets, PMI

Explore discussion points

Evolving role of consultants in shaping project viability, feasibility studies and investment readiness for African infrastructure development pipelines
Embedding digital engineering tools including BIM, AI analytics and simulation models into modern infrastructure advisory and design workflows
Balancing global best practices with local context to deliver cost-effective, adaptable and resilient infrastructure solutions across Africa
Addressing gaps in technical capacity, skills transfer and knowledge localisation within Africa’s rapidly expanding consulting ecosystem
Improving project governance, risk management and due diligence frameworks to reduce failure rates across complex infrastructure programmes
Integrating sustainability, climate adaptation and ESG compliance into early-stage infrastructure design and advisory services across all sectors

11:00–12:00GMT · 60 min

Parallel workshops

Interactive Leadership & Technical Workshops

Choose one of the two parallel workshops for Day 2.

WORKSHOP 01

Financing Green Construction Projects

FacilitatorDr. Effie Mpakati

WORKSHOP 02

CIOB Student Challenge / Construction Leadership in an Increasingly Digital-First World

FacilitatorCIOB

12:00–12:05GMT · 5 min

Closing

Chairman’s Closing Remarks & End of Day 2

12:05–12:30GMT · 25 min

Break

Screen break

12:30–13:30GMT · Proposed · 60 min

Awards

The ConstructAfrica Excellence Awards

Announcement and citations of the 2026 award winners.

View all 11 award categories

Africa Infrastructure Project of the Year
Innovation in Construction Technology
Excellence in Green & Sustainable Design
Youth-Led Infrastructure Initiative
Innovation in Infrastructure Funding & Finance
Construction Media & Storytelling Award
Contractor of the Year
Consultant of the Year
Client of the Year
Built Environment Safety Excellence
CIOB Student Competition Winner

Explore the Awards

Ceremony duration is to be confirmed.

GMT · 5 min

Conference close

Chairman’s Closing Remarks & End of Conference

The supplied 13:00–13:05 closing slot overlaps the proposed 12:30–13:30 Awards ceremony. The final closing time will be confirmed.

All times are shown in GMT. Workshop sessions run in parallel: choose one workshop each day. Online joining details will be shared separately once confirmed.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Summit ProgrammeSessions, Speakers& Workshops

Advisory Board Meeting

Leadership, investment & delivery

Opening Remarks & Welcome Address

Keynote Presentation

Government Infrastructure Leaders: Building Africa’s Future

Industry Innovation Session 1

Projects & Infrastructure Developers Leaders

Interactive Leadership & Technical Workshops

Sustainability tracking for construction projects with AR and VR

Resolving Contractual Disputes in Africa

Chairman’s Closing Remarks & End of Day 1

Innovation, expertise & excellence

Welcome & Housekeeping

Constructing Africa – Projects, Capital and the Forces Shaping the Next Cycle

Execution Excellence

Industry Innovation Session 2

Consultants Leaders Panel

Interactive Leadership & Technical Workshops

Financing Green Construction Projects

CIOB Student Challenge / Construction Leadership in an Increasingly Digital-First World

Chairman’s Closing Remarks & End of Day 2

Screen break

The ConstructAfrica Excellence Awards

Chairman’s Closing Remarks & End of Conference

Your perspective belongs here.

Summit Programme
Sessions, Speakers
& Workshops