daniel chigunwe
Business Writer
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is billed to headline the second edition of Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Confex (AfriConfex) conference in Bulawayo this week.
The conference is scheduled for 6 and 7 November at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre under the theme “Resilient Cities, Thriving Africa: Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Growth.”
The official opening is planned for the 7th.
Dr Chiwenga is expected to give a keynote address during the conference.
Other speakers include Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Felix Mhona and Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association chief executive officer, Joyline Zindanga.
According to the conference notice, topics under discussion include focused sustainable infrastructure, centred innovation in real estate development and financing infrastructure development.
Also under discussion would be transport and infrastructure for economic development, building and construction sector’s role in creating resilient and sustainable cities.
The event is organised in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and is being initiated at a time when the Government has embarked on several high impact infrastructural development projects aimed at achieving a middle-class economy by 2030.
In a recent update, ZITF Company CEO, Dr Nicholas Ndebele, said participation opportunities are available for exhibitors to connect with key stakeholders, showcase their products and services, and engage in meaningful discussions that can lead to potential collaborations and partnerships.
“The conference boasts an impressive speaker lineup, featuring notable industry leaders from renowned organisations across the construction and built environment sectors.
“These esteemed experts will lead discussions centred around the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of infrastructure development in Africa, including sustainable urban planning, climate-resilient design, innovative financing models and public-private partnerships. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and practical solutions that will empower them to drive progress within their respective field,” said Dr Ndebele.
During the workshops, industry experts will delve into the role of sustainable infrastructure in driving economic growth and promoting resilience in African cities.
The panellists will highlight the importance of industry innovation, sustainable urban planning, climate action and partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Human-Centered Innovation in Real Estate Development discussions will focus on the need to update and modernise existing infrastructure to meet the needs of changing cities and populations, designing new infrastructure and upgrading existing infrastructure to cater to growing populations, optimising transportation systems, water and waste management, and utilising smart technologies such as BIM to improve efficiency.”
Bongani Ndlovu