More than 9 500 key public and private stakeholders from across the African continent descended on the annual African
Construction and Totally Concrete Expo,
Africa’ s only multidisciplinary built
environment show focused on buyer and
seller engagements through free-to-attend
content, indoor and outdoor exhibitions
and targeted networking.
Now in its sixth year, the African
Construction and Totally Concrete Expo
was hosted from 16 to 17 May 2018 at
Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand,
Johannesburg. Featuring over 200
exhibitors from 65 countries displaying the
latest construction products and
innovative solutions across eight
dedicated sectors, this global interactive
expo caters for the entire African
construction, cement and
concrete industries.
Aimed at built industry professionals
including architects, engineers,
contractors, quantity surveyors,
government representatives as well as
suppliers of products and services to the
industry, visiting professionals got the
opportunity to attend free learning and
|
regulatory climate for transformation,
empowering small- to medium-sized
contractors, women in construction and
other underprivileged groups.“ It is crucial
for these groups to be at the forefront of
the rising opportunities and projects that
Africa offers as it builds smarter cities,”
said Tracy-Lee Behr, portfolio director for
African Construction and Totally Concrete
Expo 2018.
Smart cities of tomorrow
With urbanisation set to define the future
African building landscape, the expo
staged the African Smart Cities Summit
which addressed the concept of smart
cities and how this attractive development
model can be adopted by cities across the
African continent.
Co-located with the National African
Federation for the Building Industry’ s
( NAFBI) annual conference, the summit
gathered thought leaders, technology
providers and communication integrators
with the aim of delivering the smart
infrastructure and cities needed to support
Africa’ s growth.“ Smart cities are emerging
as a must for all future urbanisation
strategies across the continent,”
|
City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, opened the keynote address, focusing on transformation and empowerment.
An expansive model of the multi-billion rand Kopanong Gauteng Government Precinct project.
|
African Construction & Totally Concrete Expo Candace Sofianos King |
||
networking sessions throughout the two- |
highlighted Behr. |
City – a prime example of how the smart city |
|||
day event. |
“ Smart Cities offer us the opportunity |
concept can be adopted for the future African |
|||
Officially launched by the Executive |
to take the best of tomorrow’ s technology |
construction sector. |
|||
Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Herman |
and combine it with the strength of this |
In addition to the summit, the African |
|||
Mashaba, the opening keynote session |
country’ s workforce, drive and |
Construction and Totally Concrete Expo |
|||
focused on empowerment and |
determination, enabling us to delivery |
featured the African Construction Awards |
|||
transformation initiatives, with MEC Jacob |
cities that are sustainable, liveable and |
which celebrates the energised building |
|||
Mamabolo from the Gauteng Department |
economically empowering for all South |
sector in the region. Powered by NAFBI, the |
|||
of Infrastructure Development and |
Africa’ s citizens,” said Devi Paulsen, |
awards recognised key players in the |
|||
Skhumbuzo Macozoma, CEO of SANRAL |
managing director of Hypenica. |
construction sector. |
|||
joining the discussion. |
During the keynote session, visitors got |
The awards categories included a Lifetime |
|||
The keynote session shed light on the |
a taste of the Rosslyn Hub, a R3-billion key |
Achievement Award for Women in Concrete |
|||
next steps to create a favourable |
project within the Tshwane Automotive |
and Construction, a Transformation Award |