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Construction

Construction is a major economic sector encompassing the planning, design, building and maintenance of physical infrastructure and structures. The industry includes residential, commercial, industrial and civil engineering projects such as housing developments, office buildings, factories, roads, bridges, dams, power stations and water treatment facilities. In Africa, construction plays a vital role in economic development, providing employment and supporting urbanisation, industrialisation and the expansion of essential services. The sector is typically labour-intensive and employs workers across a wide range of skill levels, from semiskilled labourers to engineers and project managers. Construction activity is closely linked to government infrastructure spending, private-sector investment and commodity cycles, particularly mining. In South Africa, the industry has faced challenges including fluctuating demand, skills shortages, safety concerns and the impact of economic cycles on public and private capital expenditure. The sector is also significant in public health contexts, as construction workers often face occupational health risks and may be vulnerable to communicable diseases due to migratory labour patterns and on-site living conditions. Construction remains a key indicator of economic confidence and a driver of job creation across sub-Saharan Africa.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Structural steel shortages prompt calls for tariff relief

The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction says fabricators have lost thousands of tonnes of potential work after ArcelorMittal South Africa's Newcastle long-steel closure coincided with new tariffs, including antidumping duties of 74.98% on Chinese and 20.32% on Thai structural steel. The International Trade Administration Commission published preliminary determinations on September 18, 2026, opening four weeks for comment, while industry groups urge expedited rebates to avert supply disruption in construction, mining and manufacturing.

New equipment and legal guidance target site productivity and risk

Atlas Copco has launched four DrillAir portable air compressors for construction, mining and oil and gas drilling, offering adjustable pressure and fuel-saving technology to cut transport and operating costs, while Ascenso Tyres and Royal Tyres unveiled a radial off-the-road tyre range up to 49 inches for construction and openpit mining at Electra Mining Africa 2026. Separately, legal commentary highlights the caveat subscriptor principle, warning contractors that signed performance guarantees and indemnities can create reimbursement obligations to guarantors independent of underlying construction disputes.

Safety culture and workforce diversity gain attention

ALCO-Safe's Rhys Evans warns that substance-related safety risks are unevenly managed across construction and transport, with smaller sub-contracting sites often lacking testing protocols, and calls for tailored equipment paired with policy and education. RIB Software's Kim Immelman says women are gaining greater visibility in project delivery, leadership and technology roles, with digitalisation opening new career pathways and helping the sector address skills shortages.

AfriSam

Press Office - AfriSam

Construction Updates


Creating safer workplaces starts with smarter substance management
Creating safer workplaces starts with smarter substance management
25th September 2026

By: Rhys Evans - Managing Director at ALCO-Safe When looking at the statistics around alcohol and drug use in South African workplaces, it is easy to get lost in the percentages. But behind every... 


Image of an Ascenso Tyres all-steel radial off-the-road tyre
Next-generation radial mining tyre portfolio launched
25th September 2026

A new range of all-steel radial off-the-road (R-OTR) tyres is now available to the South African market. The range spans sizes from 25” to 49”, designed for applications including construction,... 


Image of an Atlas Copco X Air 1200-30 DrillAir portable air compressors on site
New portable air compressors aimed at simplifying drilling and reducing costs
25th September 2026

Developed for drilling applications in construction, mining and oil and gas, four new portable air compressors models are said to combine high air output with a compact footprint to help customers... 


KIM IMMELMAN 
Outdated perceptions should not be allowed to define women’s view of the construction industry
Diversity and digitalisation reshape opportunities for women in construction
23rd September 2026

Women are playing an increasingly visible role across the construction industry, with greater representation in project delivery, leadership, technology and engineering helping to broaden the... 


Creating safer workplaces starts with smarter substance management
Creating safer workplaces starts with smarter substance management
22nd September 2026

By: Rhys Evans - Managing Director at ALCO-Safe When looking at the statistics around alcohol and drug use in South African workplaces, it is easy to get lost in the percentages. But behind every... 


Afrimat Construction Index moves up 5% in the second quarter
Afrimat Construction Index moves up 5% in the second quarter
21st September 2026 By: Irma Venter

The second-quarter Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) has recorded a 5% quarter-on-quarter increase, outperforming the country’s GDP by a considerable margin. Economist Dr Roelof Botha, who compiles... 


Itac calls for comment on proposed new steel tariffs and rebates
Itac calls for comment on proposed new steel tariffs and rebates
21st September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has released preliminary determinations arising from the second phase of its wide-ranging steel tariff review, which has so... 


There are reports of shortages of some long-steel products used by downstream industry
Call made for extended long-steel rebate coverage amid reports of shortages
18th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

There are fresh moves under way to persuade government to implement additional duty rebates on long-steel products being imported into South Africa amid reports of supply shortages that have arisen... 


RIB Software global marketing VP Kim Immelman
Diversity, digitalization reshape opportunities for women in construction
15th September 2026

Women are playing an increasingly visible role across the construction industry, with greater representation in project delivery, leadership, technology and engineering broadening the sector’s... 


Security works better when it starts with the building
Security works better when it starts with the building
14th September 2026

Security is often discussed once a project is already taking shape, when attention turns to cameras, access control, detection systems, perimeter protection, and the equipment needed to make them... 


Image of a site inspection by Chryso Southern Africa
Technical support helps improve construction project quality
11th September 2026

Technical field service support aimed at optimising concrete performance, finding solutions to challenges and reducing on-site risks is an essential part of construction and infrastructure... 


SANY Southern Africa mining general manager Thabo Lerumo spoke to Engineering News & Mining Weekly during the Electra Mining Africa event, held in Johannesburg from 7 to 11 September 2026.
SANY brings global expertise in construction, earthmoving and mining equipment
11th September 2026

As a global leader in the supply of construction, earthmoving and mining equipment, SANY is focused on delivering value to customers, employees, shareholders and the public by offering high-quality... 


IMET export area manager Simone Maschio spoke to Engineering News & Mining Weekly during the Electra Mining Africa event, held in Johannesburg from September 7 to 11, 2026.
IMET advances radio remote control technology for demanding industrial applications
10th September 2026

As industrial and mining operations increasingly adopt remote-control technologies to improve operator safety, equipment flexibility and productivity, Italian specialist IMET I.R.L. is developing... 


Siphamandla Mkhwanazi
Sentiment in building sector grows in Q3 – FNB/BER Business Confidence Index
10th September 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The FNB/Bureau for Economic Research Building Confidence Index gained two points to 40 in the third quarter – indicating that 60% of respondents across the building sector value chain are... 


Trade Shield COO Rahil Jularr
Trade Shield seeks to help industry sharpen business credit-risk decisions with new index
10th September 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Trade credit-risk management in South Africa needs to move beyond static, backward-looking assessments, business intelligence company Trade Shield asserted as it unveiled its new industry index, in... 


Drilling, Mining & Construction Sales Manager Willie Pelser spoke to Engineering News & Mining Weekly during the Electra Mining Africa event, held in Johannesburg from 7 to 11 September 2026.
DMC bringing mobile concrete production closer to the mine
9th September 2026

As mining and construction projects across Africa increasingly operate in remote and challenging environments, access to reliable, efficient and flexible equipment is essential. Drilling, Mining &... 


Swagefast sales manager Neil Koen spoke to Engineering News & Mining Weekly during the Electra Mining Africa event, held in Johannesburg from 7 to 11 September 2026.
Swagefast builds stronger, safer, more reliable operations
9th September 2026

Swagefast has been delivering fastening solutions for over 30 years, helping industries build stronger, safer, and more reliable operations in the world's toughest environments. Established in... 


Barloworld Cat to Showcase the Full Strength of Its "One Partner. Every Solution." Campaign at Electra Mining Africa 2026
8th September 2026

Barloworld Cat is bringing its "One Partner. Every Solution." campaign to life at Electra Mining Africa 2026, demonstrating how its integrated portfolio of equipment, technology, aftermarket... 


BBF Safety Group MD Ndlela Mazibuko spoke to Engineering News & Mining Weekly during the Electra Mining Africa event, held in Johannesburg from 7 to 11 September 2026.
BBF Safety Group strengthens workplace protection
7th September 2026

BBF Safety Group is a leading African manufacturer and supplier of safety footwear and personal protective equipment, providing fit-for-purpose safety solutions to industries across South Africa... 


Image of football stadium
Benito Villamarín Stadium redevelopment, Spain
4th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Spanish professional football club Real Betis Balompié is building a modern, higher-capacity football stadium for Seville. 


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