The lack of maintenance and investment into road infrastructure has once again raised its head within the African road construction and development sector. This puts pressure on contractors and maintenance teams across everywhere, in turn putting businesses at risk.
How to manage road maintenance in today’s economic climate will be the focus of the upcoming African Road Infrastructure and Investment Congress, coming to Cape Town September 4-6. The theme Accelerating Road Development will address the lacklustre investment in in highways from two perspectives.
Firstly, the event will bring together all the key stakeholders – national, provincial and local government, roads agencies, investors and contractors – to discuss budgetary challenges faced by governments and to explore opportunities for private or public-private investment.
Secondly, opportunities outside of the South African market – in East, West and Central Africa – will be highlighted. Importantly, the congress will provide direct access to the people and companies behind these projects.
Rudolf Fourie, chief executive of engineering firm Raubex, has warned that South African state-owned companies and provincial and municipal governments should start investing in the country’s deteriorating infrastructure.
“This will not only alleviate the current pressure in the construction sector, which has experienced several business failures resulting in severe job losses during the year, but will also better position the country for future economic growth,” said Fourie.
Join the congress in September and add your voice to the conversation, understand the roadblocks to development and help drive continued growth, development and maintenance in the African road sector.
To register attendance, contact Peter Colemen on +44 (0)7469 063 098 or email peter.colemen@bituhmenexchange.com
To see the congress programme, visit the Bitumen Exchange.
