A New Chapter for Construction – And a Shared Opportunity with Sub-Saharan Africa

As I stepped into the role of Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in January, I did so with a deep sense of responsibility and genuine excitement. Construction is one of the most powerful forces for social, environmental and economic progress anywhere in the world. Nowhere is that more evident than across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

The challenges ahead are significant. But so too is the opportunity.

Globally, construction continues to wrestle with skills gaps, slow adoption of innovative approaches, fragmented supply chains and uncertainty around commitments to infrastructure projects. These factors slow project delivery and, in many cases, can compromise quality.

In some markets, political and regulatory uncertainty can dampen investments and when that happens, communities wait longer for the schools, hospitals, transport services and housing they urgently need.

Yet I firmly believe our industry can overcome these hurdles. The question is not whether construction will adapt, it is how quickly we drive that adaptation.

Construction remains a largely non-regulated sector in many countries and the absence of consistent regulatory frameworks poses serious risks to safety, quality, and sustainability – three key elements of the CIOB’s current Corporate Plan.

Without clear standards, we risk compromising quality.

At the CIOB, professionalism sits at the heart of everything we do. Through chartership, ethical standards, and competency frameworks, we promote excellence across the built environment globally.

CIOB’s Commitment to Sub‑Saharan Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, we are currently piloting a regional Professional Bodies and Regulators Seminar. This initiative brings together regulators and professional bodies from West, East, and Southern Africa to share knowledge, expertise and to learn from one another.

Another issue we face globally is that of the ongoing skills shortage. My colleagues in Africa tell me about the gaps which persist in digital construction, project management, and sustainable building techniques. My thoughts on this are quite simple: if we do not invest in people, Africa’s growth will stall.

One thing I have realised already in my tenure is how deeply CIOB is committed to skills development. Through our chartered membership, CIOB Academy training programmes and CPD, mentoring initiatives, and student engagement, we are helping to build a future-ready workforce. We work very closely with regional partners to strengthen workforce readiness and create long-term pathways into the profession.

The next issue I would like to discuss is sustainability. For years, it felt like sustainability was an optional add-on, but now it is fundamental.

Africa faces unique climate vulnerabilities, making climate-resilient infrastructure essential. At the same time, rapid urbanisation offers a chance to embed low-carbon construction practices from the outset.

CIOB Sustainability Ambassadors across the region are championing low-carbon construction and promoting best practice in sustainable development. By working with governments, industry leaders, and educators, we are helping to embed environmental responsibility into the DNA of the sector.

Digital construction is growing rapidly and represents one of the greatest opportunities for both global and African markets.

The adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twins is accelerating, but progress is uneven. To realise the full benefits - improved efficiency, cost certainty, and sustainability - we must ensure that standards, skills, and systems develop together.

CIOB supports the development of digital standards and upskilling initiatives, while partnering locally to ensure global best practice is applied effectively across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The next steps in 2026 must focus on strengthening regional capacity through training, sharing international best practices, and developing more collaborative ways of working. When governments, industry, and professional bodies work together, we can create a truly lasting impact.

As I begin this new chapter at CIOB, I am excited by the scale of what lies ahead. Construction has always been about shaping the future, and I am particularly keen to deepen CIOB’s engagement across Sub-Saharan Africa. I hope to visit the region to listen, learn and help create new partnerships and collaborations.

Looking Ahead: A More Skilled, Sustainable, Professional Industry

In summary, the challenges are real – but so is the potential, and I could not be more excited about the role CIOB can play - alongside our partners across Sub-Saharan Africa - in building a safer, more skilled, more sustainable, and more professional construction industry for generations to come. The best is yet to come.

Finally, as a welcome gift for anyone who is reading about CIOB for the very first time, I am pleased to provide free access to our CPD course, Impact of Construction on Society in Emerging Economies, by using code conafccpd26 (valid for one month).