Staff Reporter
Bulawayo is gearing up to host the second edition of the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Confex (AfriConfex) in November, an event poised to boost the country's growth in construction and infrastructure development sectors.
The confex, scheduled to run from November 6-8, 2024, at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo, aims to promote collaboration, showcase the latest technologies, and provide a platform for industry professionals to network.
The event, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, comes at a time when Zimbabwe is pushing forward with major infrastructure projects as part of its drive to achieve a middle-income economy by 2030. The official opening ceremony is set for November 7.
Under the theme “Resilient Cities, Thriving Africa: Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Growth,” AfriConfex 2024 will focus on the importance of sustainable infrastructure in African cities and its role in fostering economic growth.
Chief Executive Officer of ZITF, Dr. Nicholas Ndebele, emphasized the event’s significance in aligning with the government's ambitious plans.
"AfriConfex 2024 offers a unique platform for indigenous contractors, equipment suppliers, and materials providers to showcase their expertise, explore regional and international opportunities, and stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and legal frameworks within the infrastructure and built environment sector," said Dr. Ndebele.
The confex will feature workshops on November 6, followed by the official conference on November 7.
The workshops will cover various critical topics, including the role of sustainable infrastructure in driving economic growth, human-centred innovation in real estate development, and methods of funding infrastructure projects, such as public-private partnerships and innovative financing models.
Dr. Ndebele highlighted the event’s potential to nurture future collaborations.
"National developments such as the Geo Pomona waste management plant attracted interest from visiting Presidents during the 44th SADC Summit, with Botswana and Zimbabwe recently establishing cooperation in waste management at the invitation of Botswana President His Excellency Mokgweetsi Masisi," he noted.
AfriConfex 2024 is expected to bring together industry thought leaders and professionals from across the region, fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange to drive the growth of Africa’s infrastructure and built environment sectors.
