Advocates say electric machine alternatives offer a win-win. (Image source: Volvo CE)

A high-level roundtable held at the Swedish Embassy during London Climate Action Week has spotlighted the outsized role diesel compact construction machines play in worsening urban air quality, and the urgent need for policy and industry to drive the shift to electric alternatives.

The event brought together city officials, construction leaders and researchers to tackle the overlooked issue of diesel compact machinery, which remains largely exempt from regulations such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) despite emitting significant levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). Representatives from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), the City of London, and campaign groups joined the call for a rapid transition to zero-emission equipment.

In London alone, approximately 5,000 diesel compact excavators currently in use generate as much NOx and PM as more than 100,000 diesel cars. Yet, because they are not required to meet the same particulate filtration standards as passenger vehicles or larger machines, their impact often goes unaddressed.

With construction now the dominant source of black carbon emissions in London, overtaking cars, the urgency is clear. Globally, only 17% of cities meet WHO air quality guidelines, and air pollution contributed to 8.1 million premature deaths in 2021 alone.

Low-emission equipment

The roundtable also showcased findings from a 12-week trial by Volvo CE, Transport for London (TfL), and FM Conway, which replaced diesel equipment with three electric construction machines. The result: nearly 8kg of harmful NOx and hydrocarbon emissions were avoided, which is the equivalent of a diesel car travelling more than 39,000 miles.

Advocates say electric alternatives offer a win-win: quieter operation, lower vibration, zero tailpipe emissions, and less energy waste, making them ideal for densely populated urban areas. But challenges remain: lack of charging infrastructure, green energy access, regulatory gaps and high upfront costs.

As cities look to scale climate and public health efforts, roundtable participants called for collaborative action to overcome these barriers. Embedding sustainability criteria into public tenders, expanding low emission zones to include all construction machinery, and increasing awareness of compact diesel machines’ impact were highlighted as immediate priorities.

The event closed with a strong message: cleaning up construction emissions is not only technically viable but essential to creating healthier cities. With bold leadership, coordinated policy, and cross-industry collaboration, electric construction machines could play a pivotal role in transforming the urban environment.

Thomas Bitter, Head of the Compact Business Unit at Volvo CE, said, “Cities like London are making great progress to improve air quality. But ignoring construction equipment in low emission policies misses a key health opportunity. Zero-emission solutions exist, but adoption is too slow. We need full value chain collaboration to break down barriers to change and speed up the shift to emission-free construction that is so essential for urban health.”

Summa keen on Africa construction market

Turkish construction group Summa Turizm Yatirimciligi (Summa) has secured additional funding to help develop various construction projects in Senegal and across sub-Saharan Africa

The company has secured €50mn (US$58mn) in financing from the World Bank’s IFC to develop tourism and urban infrastructure projects across the continent in support of job creation and economic growth.

“We are pleased to have IFC’s support for Summa’s hotel and real estate developments in Senegal and across Africa,” said Selim Bora, chairman of Summa.

“We see this partnership as a foundation for broader collaboration in key sectors such as transportation, sports infrastructure, tourism and energy — areas vital to the region’s sustainable development and economic growth — whereas Summa possesses a deep reservoir of expertise and a strong track record of delivery.”

The loan agreement will help Summa with its working capital and cover capital expenditure needs for construction projects in select countries across Africa.

Established in 1989, Summa’s main focus today is Africa, working across a range of industry sectors and projects including airports, stadiums, hotels, industrial buildings and facilities.

It also works in the construction of motorways, dams, and other infrastructure networks, such as power transmission lines, pipelines, and land reclamation projects.

Current projects include Osvaldo Vieria International Airport in Guinea Bissau and, in the hospitality sector, the new Courtyard Diamniadio hotel in Senegal.

“This investment demonstrates IFC’s commitment to supporting tourism and other urban infrastructure development in African markets,” said Ethiopis Tafara, IFC’s regional vice president for Africa, noting that “these types of investments are essential for driving sustainable economic growth and regional development.”

The combined projects across the region are expected to create more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2029, while Summa’s operations as a whole will lead to US$225mn in economic value through direct, indirect, and induced effects, the IFC said in a statement.

Read more:

Hilton to triple Africa hotel portfolio

Robust hotels sector growth boosts construction

Liberia inaugurates Arcelormittal concentrator plant

Chinese contractors complete Tanzania's John Magufuli bridge

How the new Hilton Cotonou will look. (Image source: Hilton)

Continuing a trend among other prestige hotel groups, Hilton has announced plans to almost triple its presence on the continent to over 160 properties in the next few years

That includes several market debuts, with multiple hotels planned for Angola, as well as properties in Benin and Madagascar.

The brand currently operates 63 hotels in Africa, with more than 100 under development.

The investments underline growing confidence in Africa, and are expected to yield benefits for local construction groups and service firms, according to Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, including the creation of 18,000 jobs for locals.

“We are thrilled to announce several new hotel agreements which significantly expand our footprint in Africa, a continent brimming with potential and opportunity,” he said.

“Our development strategy underscores our commitment to supporting Africa’s hospitality sector as we partner with owners to grow our footprint, deliver exceptional stays for our customers and create jobs for local people.

In Angola, Hilton has signed up three properties – two in the capital, Luanda, as well as one in Cabinda.

It will also open its first property in Benin’s capital, Cotonou, scheduled for 2028.

Also in West Africa, it plans a to grow its Nigerian footprint with new sites set for Abuja, Kano and Ikeja, close to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Later this year, Hilton also expects to open its first hotel in Ghana with Hilton Accra Cantonments, in partnership with High Street Development Company. The property is located in Cantonments, an upscale suburb home to embassies and high commissions.

The company also plans more hotels across northern, southern and eastern Africa, including Madagascar, another new market, where it has signed agreements to open its first two properties, one in the heart of Antananarivo and another just to the south.

“Africa offers incredible opportunities, from thriving business hubs to vibrant cultures, wildlife and natural landscapes,” said Khneisser.

“We are excited to unveil a host of new destinations building on Hilton’s legacy of hospitality across Africa for over 65 years.”

Read more:

Robust hotels sector growth boosts construction 

Groupe Duval nets IFC loan for Ivorian project

ArcelorMittal's new concentrator plant. (Image source: ArcelorMittal)

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr has officially commissioned ArcelorMittal’s US$1.4bn iron ore concentrator plant at the Mt. Tokadeh mining site in Nimba County, Liberia

This facility is the centrepiece of the company’s US$1.8bn expansion programme, which brings its total investment in Liberia to approximately US$3bn — one of the most significant private sector investments in the country since the end of its civil war.

The expansion will see ArcelorMittal boost its iron ore output from 5 million tonnes per year to 20 million tonnes, while also upgrading product quality to higher-grade and higher-value iron ore.

Initially launched in 2012, the concentrator project was put on hold during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Construction resumed in 2021, incorporating modernised technology and updated engineering.

Full operations at the plant are expected to begin later this month.

“This level of investment is a testament to the growing confidence in the security and wellbeing of our state, and in the positive direction of our investment climate,” said Boakai.

The development has already created over 5,000 jobs during construction and is projected to result in 1,000 permanent roles, along with broader economic gains for the country, he added.

In addition to the concentrator, the wider expansion includes significant infrastructure investments. These include an upgraded railway line from Tokadeh to Buchanan, a new pier at the Port of Buchanan, and enhanced materials handling systems.

President Boakai called on ArcelorMittal to continue progressing with further investment pledges, including railway expansion, port upgrades, and power plant development.

“These projects are essential to deepening Liberia’s integration into global value chains and unlocking long-term benefits for our people,” the president added.

ArcelorMittal executive chairman Lakshmi Mittal was present in Liberia for the inauguration ceremony.

“This state-of-the-art concentrator guarantees the long-term future of mining in Liberia,” he said. “It will quadruple our capabilities from 5 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes, continue to provide jobs for thousands of Liberians and make an important contribution to Liberia’s economic prosperity.”