Interview: Dr Segun Faniran, ConstructAfrica

Governments across Africa should focus not only on what to build but also on how to deliver reliably and efficiently in order to achieve measurable, long-term economic transformation, says Dr Segun Faniran.

In an interview with ConstructAfrica, of which he is the founder and CEO, the construction dispute expert opines that while the current focus of governments on facilitating and improving trade, building in-country value and boosting access to utilities is well aligned with Africa’s development needs, what matters from a construction perspective is turning these national objectives into bankable, deliverable project pipelines.

That requires disciplined project preparation in the form of robust feasibility studies, realistic cost plans and appropriate risk allocation, says Dr Faniran, who is also a civil engineer and forensic planning specialist, and has been named to the International Federation of Consulting Engineers’ (FIDIC) President's List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators. The list is viewed as an elite directory of professionals certified by FIDIC to serve on dispute boards and who specialise in resolving complex, high-value construction and engineering disputes under FIDIC contracts.

To achieve their infrastructure targets, governments must also prioritise competent contracting and contract administration to ensure predictable delivery; cross-border consistency in standards and documentation, especially as regional trade expands; and infrastructure that supports the entire value chain, from extraction and processing to transport and export.

Governance Goals

Dr Faniran’s expertise is in the planning and control of engineering and construction projects. He has considerable experience in providing commercial and contractual advice to both government and private sector clients, advising on major construction and infrastructure programmes across Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Asia, including megaprojects valued at up to US$13 billion.

Consequently, he emphasises that Africa’s authorities must strengthen project preparation, contract administration, planning and project controls if they want to sustainably bridge their infrastructure gap.

“Africa’s infrastructure financing gap, currently estimated at over US$100 billion annually, requires a multi-pronged approach,” says Dr Faniran. “Key solutions include strengthening project preparation to make projects bankable; expanding PPP frameworks to attract private capital; leveraging blended finance, combining public, private, and development finance; and deepening domestic capital markets, including pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.

“Project delivery modes also need to evolve. There may be a need for more disciplined use of delivery approaches – particularly those that align incentives with outcomes. For example, where appropriate, contracting and procurement should emphasise performance, schedule certainty and dispute prevention mechanisms.

“But I would also caution against treating delivery mode as a magic lever. The real determinant is the strength of contract administration, planning and project controls, because weak delivery governance can undermine even the best financing structures.”

Africa’s Potential

Dr Faniran, who also serves as a testifying delay expert and adviser in construction disputes at Turner & Townsend, believes Africa’s construction and infrastructure landscape is characterised by both immense opportunity and persistent structural challenges.

“Demand for infrastructure – transport, energy, housing, water, digital connectivity – continues to grow rapidly due to population expansion and urbanisation, and many governments and investors are actively looking for ways to accelerate delivery,” he says.

“At the same time, the sector faces significant hurdles: funding constraints, procurement and contracting inefficiencies, slow decision-making, and limited technical capacity across both public and private sectors. These challenges are compounded by macroeconomic volatility, currency pressures, rising costs of key inputs and supply chain vulnerabilities.

“Despite these challenges, I remain optimistic. We are seeing stronger regional collaboration, growing interest from global investors and a clearer recognition among African governments that infrastructure is the backbone of economic transformation. The sector has shown remarkable resilience, with increasing focus on smarter procurement, local manufacturing of materials and the development of strategic regional corridors. It is an industry on the cusp of meaningful transformation.

Dr Faniran opines the next decade will be pivotal for the continent. “Africa’s ability to strengthen governance, improve project delivery, and embrace innovation will ultimately determine the trajectory of its construction and infrastructure sector,” he notes.

Looking Within

While the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war has created volatility in global supply chains that affects Africa as well, the crisis highlights a critical reality, says Dr Faniran. “African markets must accelerate their transition toward more self-reliant, sustainable, and localised energy and materials supply chains.

“The conflict has disrupted major international shipping routes and caused sharp increases in global fuel and energy prices. For the African construction sector, this translates directly into surging input costs – cement and steel manufacturing are highly energy-intensive, and the cost of logistics and site transport has risen steeply.

“While a few oil-exporting African nations may see temporary fiscal windfalls, the broader construction industry is facing inflated material prices and tighter financing conditions as global capital becomes more risk-averse. Countries that depend heavily on imported fuel are particularly vulnerable.

“At the same time, the situation is prompting renewed focus on energy diversification, regional power-pooling initiatives and investment in renewable energy – developments that could ultimately strengthen Africa’s long-term energy resilience.”

Sustainability is Critical

The construction arbitration expert is also a believer in the importance of sustainability in African construction and infrastructure projects.

“Sustainability in construction must shift from being a ‘nice-to-have’ to a core delivery discipline,” says Dr Faniran. “Africa faces climate vulnerabilities, rapid urbanisation and resource constraints, making sustainable practices not optional but essential. For Africa in particular, sustainability delivers both environmental and economic value – reducing lifecycle costs, improving energy efficiency and strengthening resilience against climate risks.

“In practical terms, sustainable construction should include:

• Lower-carbon materials and methods, such as local pozzolanic cements or sustainably sourced timber, where feasible;

• Energy-efficient design in buildings and infrastructure;

• Climate-resilient assets that can withstand heat, flooding and extreme weather;

• Responsible procurement and improved supply chain transparency;

• Waste reduction through better planning, quality control and logistics.

“Just as Africa bypassed landline telephony and moved straight to mobile banking, the construction sector can bypass outdated industrial processes and adopt cleaner, smarter and more efficient systems. The future will be driven by digital construction technologies, off-site prefabrication, localised green supply chains and infrastructure designed explicitly for long-term resilience.”

Dr Faniran says Africa’s construction future will be shaped by digital transformation, such as building information modelling (BIM), Geographic Information System (GIS) and AI-driven planning, as well as local content development and skills transfer, affordable housing solutions using innovative materials, and resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding climate shocks.

“The region has a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional, carbon-heavy construction models and build a more sustainable, inclusive and future-ready construction ecosystem,” he says.

Learning from Experience

With more than 35 years of experience in his field, several of which have been spent in the Middle East, Dr Faniran is convinced there are lessons Africa can learn from Middle Eastern construction and infrastructure markets.

“While every market has its own context, the UAE and parts of the Middle East have demonstrated strong consistency in areas that directly affect delivery outcomes – particularly around governance, project controls and the discipline of contract administration,” he says. “Key lessons include:

• Robust project preparation and feasibility analysis before breaking ground;

• Clear and consistent regulatory frameworks that give investors confidence;

• Adoption of modern construction technologies, including digital engineering and modular construction;

• Efficient dispute resolution systems that keep projects moving.

“Africa does not need to replicate the Middle East model, but it can certainly adapt these principles to local realities,” Dr Faniran clarifies.

Continental Ambitions

On the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has been gaining traction of late, Dr Faniran states it is one of the most transformative initiatives in Africa’s history.

“At a recent ConstructAfrica webinar, Mrs. Emily Mburu-Ndoria, director of trade in services at the AfCFTA Secretariat, noted that the AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is a platform for economic transformation. I fully agree with her perspective,” he says.

“For the construction sector, the AfCFTA is poised to be an absolute game-changer. By systematically eliminating tariffs on vital building materials and enabling the seamless cross-border movement of specialised engineering, architectural and construction services, it will create a more integrated and competitive continental market for the sector. It will also encourage regional collaboration, support capacity development and allow African firms to scale, share technical expertise more fluidly and reduce procurement costs across borders.

“I understand from what I have read in the media that the broad target for full implementation lies between 2030 and 2035. Of course, implementation is not a single event – it is a phased process involving protocols, national adoption and regulatory harmonisation. We can therefore expect gradual progress as countries align their systems and operational frameworks. Forward-looking firms are already positioning themselves to take advantage of early cross-border opportunities.

“Once fully operationalised, the AfCFTA will expand market access, reduce project costs and stimulate cross-border infrastructure development, unlocking a new era of growth for Africa’s construction and infrastructure sectors.”

Dr Faniran’s educational and professional experiences have inspired his affinity towards regional collaboration and a continental market.

Multidisciplinary Approach

“I was born and raised in Nigeria, and completed my high school education at Igbobi College in Lagos,” he says. “I went on to study civil engineering at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), which laid the foundation for my lifelong career in the built environment.

“My academic journey has taken me across three continents. I have an MSc in Construction Management from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and a PhD in Construction Management from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia. I also have an LL.M in Construction Law and Arbitration from Robert Gordon University in the UK.

“This multidisciplinary training – combining engineering, project management and construction law – has shaped my holistic approach to infrastructure delivery and dispute resolution. [Currently], I balance my time across three distinct but deeply interconnected professional roles.

“I am the founder and CEO of ConstructAfrica, a platform dedicated to providing data-driven market intelligence, thought leadership and insights on the African construction and infrastructure sectors. Our work spans news coverage, expert analysis, webinars, an industry awards programme and a project pipeline platform that tracks construction and infrastructure projects across the African continent. These offerings support key stakeholders, including investors, contractors, consultants, suppliers and policymakers, in making data-driven, informed, evidence-based decisions.

“I also serve as a testifying delay expert and adviser in construction disputes at Turner & Townsend, where I support clients on complex delay, disruption and construction claims matters globally.

“In addition, I practise independently as a FIDIC Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB)/Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board (DAAB) practitioner, helping parties resolve disputes efficiently and fairly on major infrastructure projects. In this role, I act impartially on project dispute boards, working proactively to mitigate risks and resolve issues before they escalate into formal disputes.

“Across these roles, my focus remains the same: helping parties navigate complex projects more effectively – whether that’s through expert testimony, dispute board practice, or broader industry leadership through ConstructAfrica.

“ConstructAfrica [actually] is uniquely positioned to support the [construction] sector [in Africa] through data-driven market intelligence, thought-leadership and industry insights. Our platforms provide reliable information and actionable data on project pipelines, market trends, risks and opportunities – helping investors, contractors, policymakers and professionals make informed decisions.

“We also convene the industry through webinars, expert commentary and our annual awards, fostering collaboration and elevating excellence. Ultimately, our mission is to strengthen transparency, build capacity and contribute to a more efficient and globally competitive African construction industry.”

Photo: Dr Segun Faniran

ConstructAfrica’s next webinar will be held on 30 July and will explore practical strategies for overcoming logistics challenges in Africa’s construction industry. Click here to register for this free webinar.