Construction

Construction boost for Accra's hotels sector

Ghana will see the construction of a new 170-room hotel near Accra International Airport, in a project that is set to boost local jobs and the local supply chain

The Hampton by Hilton Accra Airport project is aimed at expanding Ghana’s midscale hospitality offering while supporting local businesses.

The Accra construction project is expected to provide nearly 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, including 200 permanent positions, as well as create new opportunities for local suppliers.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced that it is providing long-term financing to PLP Properties Ltd, a Ghanaian property investment and development company, in support of the scheme.In a statement, IFC, a part of the World Bank Group, noted that its I’d long-term financing will give the project “sufficient time” to complete construction and establish operations.

“Our vision goes beyond building a hotel,” said Jean-Louis Feghali, executive director of PLP Properties.

“Hampton by Hilton Accra Airport will strengthen Accra’s hospitality offering, create jobs, support local suppliers, and serve business and leisure travellers.”

Travel and tourism contributed an estimated 5.7% of Ghana’s gross domestic product and supported more than 800,000 jobs in 2024.

By expanding midscale accommodation and strengthening hospitality infrastructure, the project is expected to support Ghana’s tourism sector and its contribution to employment and economic activity.

Hampton by Hilton Accra Airport will broaden the range of quality accommodation available to business and leisure travellers in a market where most internationally branded hotels serve the upscale segment.

“Investment in quality, sustainable accommodation can strengthen Ghana’s tourism sector and support jobs across the wider economy,” said Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC division director for West Africa Gulf of Guinea.

“IFC’s partnership with PLP Properties will expand Accra’s hospitality offering, strengthen demand for local goods and services, and promote more sustainable hotel development.”

The hotel is expected to source goods and services from Ghanaian businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

The project is also targeting IFC’s green building standards — the hotel is being designed to use at least 40% less energy and 20% less water than a conventional building, while also reducing embodied carbon in construction materials.

These efficiencies are expected to lower operating costs and establish a stronger benchmark for resource-efficient development in Ghana’s hospitality sector, IFC noted in its statement.

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Telehandlers are among the Wacker Neuson compact machines supplied by newly appointed dealer Welgro in Mpumalanga (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Wacker Neuson South Africa has expanded its dealer network and reinforced its presence in Mpumalanga with the appointment of Welgro Engineering and Mining Supplies

“Welgro’s established sales network, fully equipped workshop and service infrastructure, together with its proven track record across the mining, engineering, construction and agricultural sectors, made the partnership the natural choice,” said Eric Berrington, Wacker Neuson’s regional manager for Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.

Welgro Engineering and Mining Supplies is a provider of industrial and construction equipment solutions that has served the region for 40 years.

“The dealership also represents several respected international brands that demand a high standard of technical expertise and aftersales support, giving us further confidence in Welgro’s ability to successfully support customers over the long term,” added Berrington.

He said Welgro’s alignment with Wacker Neuson’s core values, together with recommendations from multiple industry contacts, prompted Wacker Neuson to initiate discussions.

“Welgro Engineering and Mining Supplies has built its business on long-term relationships, practical product knowledge and dependable service, with a steadfast focus on first understanding each customer’s operation before recommending the right solution to support sustainable operations,” said Kyle Handley, managing director at Welgro.

“Because every site and operation faces unique pressures, from production deadlines to safety requirements and downtime challenges, we adopt a hands-on, consultative approach, supporting customers with a wide range of industrial and construction solutions, backed by experienced sales and technical staff and a well-equipped workshop.

”Playing a vital role in the national economy, Mpumalanga is central to Wacker Neuson’s dealer expansion strategy, with the company’s approach anchored around three key hubs – Mbombela, eMalahleni and Secunda – and aligned to the industries driving growth across the province.

Handley outlined key reasons why Welgro was eager to partner with Wacker Neuson, including product quality and reliability, as well as strong reputation in construction, plant hire and infrastructure development.

He said customers want high-performing, dependable equipment that helps optimise their operations, and highlighted Wacker Neuson’s machines as well-engineered, robust and built for tough working environments.

“The machines are practical, intuitive and productivity-driven – qualities that resonate with operators.”

Under the dealership agreement, Welgro will supply Wacker Neuson’s full range of compact machines, including mini excavators, telehandlers and wheel loaders; construction equipment, including pumps and lighting towers; compaction equipment, including rammers and plate compactors; concrete technology, including external vibrators; and other specialised worksite solutions.

The range is positioned to support the diverse requirements of customers across the construction, agricultural, mining and related industries.

“Our immediate focus is on building a strong, reliable offering around Wacker Neuson’s products already in demand locally, expanding the range over time in line with customers’ changing requirements,” said Handley.

“Compact machines and equipment are especially well-suited to the market, with the capability to perform efficiently in confined spaces – a quality that is highly valued across the sectors. We also expect to see strong demand for lighting towers, particularly in mining, where reliable site illumination is critical for safety and productivity.”

He said there are also “compelling growth prospects” for electric and zero-emission equipment.

“We are ready to introduce more of Wacker Neuson’s electric product ranges to support customers with sustainable, efficient, environmentally conscious and forward-looking solutions.” 

Chinese machinery exports benefiting from African growth (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Chinese construction machinery and equipment manufacturers, XCMG and SANY, both reported strong growth from Africa and other overseas territories in recent results round ups

SANY Heavy Industry reported H1 2026 revenues of approximately US$7.9bn, up 19.49% year over year — with Africa the single fastest-growing region.

Total overseas revenues reached US$4.7bn, up 21.82% and representing 61.33% of the company’s core business revenue.

Africa outstripped other regions, with revenues growing 47.66% to US%790.2mn.In a statement, SANY Heavy Industry also highlighted how its strategy in Africa is maturing as it seeks to nurture close ties to local markets.

“The company is moving from product exports toward localised industrial operations overseas, bringing sales, services, product development and operations closer to local markets,” it noted.

With all its major product lines — covering piling, concrete, lifting, excavation and road machinery — reporting strong growth, the company outlined moves to reform overseas organisation and strengthen production innovation and R&D management.

XCMG also reaffirmed its global ambitions after reporting that its overseas revenues had exceeded 50% of its total revenues for the first time — reaching approximately US$4.56bn for the H1 2026 period.

Africa was also highlighted as an increasingly significant market, for a company that now operates more than 60 overseas subsidiaries — during the first half of 2026, it established a new trading subsidiary in Nigeria.

“The company's global network also includes more than 300 overseas dealers and over 2,000 service and spare parts outlets,” it said in a statement.

“Construction of overhaul centres in Indonesia, and Simandou, Africa, is progressing as planned, further strengthening XCMG's overseas aftermarket service capabilities.”

The company has previously announced a series of work orders for the giant Simandou mining and infrastructure mega project in Guinea, West Africa.

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Delta Heavy Equipment launches new forklift website

Delta Heavy Equipment, a South African material handling company, has launched a redesigned website at www.deltahe.com, bringing its equipment, rental and support services together on a single platform

The company has operated in the material handling sector since 1998, building a customer base that spans individual machine operators as well as warehouses, factories, farms and logistics facilities across South Africa.

The new website provides an overview of Delta Heavy Equipment’s complete offering, including short- and long-term forklift rentals, new DeltaLift forklift sales, used and ex-rental machines, forklift parts, tyres and forks, lifting equipment, driver training and load testing support. Customers can also access branch information for Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

A website designed around customer requirements

The redesigned platform organises the company’s services into dedicated sections, making it easier for customers to navigate directly to the equipment or service they require. These include Forklift Rentals, New Forklifts, Used Forklifts, Lifting Equipment, and Forks, Tyres and Parts.

The site also features a Knowledge Hub containing the company’s blog, video hub, machine gallery and a dedicated page covering the development of forklift technology. The gallery can be filtered according to different applications, allowing users to explore equipment used across various operating environments.

Customers can submit quote requests through the website using a location selector covering Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban. WhatsApp contact and 24/7 support options are also available throughout the platform.

Rental solutions focused on reducing downtime

Forklift rental continues to form a central part of Delta Heavy Equipment’s offering. The company provides both short- and long-term rental options, which can offer an alternative to the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment.

Its vertically integrated model gives the company control over equipment, maintenance, parts and support, enabling it to provide rental solutions supported by its service infrastructure.

The rental offering is also designed to address equipment downtime. If a rented forklift becomes unavailable, Delta Heavy Equipment aims to repair, exchange or replace the machine as quickly as practical, helping customers maintain operations.

The website highlights several situations in which forklift rental can be suitable, including seasonal demand, temporary projects and sites, additional or replacement equipment, and continuing requirements at warehouses, factories and distribution centres.

DeltaLift forklifts for demanding applications

The New Forklifts section showcases DeltaLift forklifts available for purchase. The machines have been developed for South African operating conditions, combining established technology with robust construction and long warranties, supported by Delta Heavy Equipment as a direct importer.

The company also holds millions of rand worth of spare parts locally, supporting parts availability and after-sales service throughout the life of the equipment.

The DeltaLift portfolio includes diesel, petrol and LPG internal combustion forklifts, lithium-ion battery electric forklifts, three-wheel electric forklifts, rough terrain machines, reach trucks, very narrow aisle turret trucks, driverless AGV units, heavy-capacity forklifts and a 45-ton reach stacker.

Individual product pages provide information such as capacity, fuel type and specifications. Customers can also request a quotation directly from each product page.

Used equipment backed by existing support

The website’s Used Forklifts section caters to customers seeking ownership at a lower initial investment than purchasing new equipment. Delta Heavy Equipment supplies used and ex-rental forklifts at competitive prices.

Ex-rental machines offer an additional advantage because they come from Delta Heavy Equipment’s own fleet, meaning the company has maintained and operated the equipment itself. Buyers can continue to access Delta’s after-sales service, parts and technical support following the purchase.

This provides customers with used equipment supported by the company’s existing service and technical infrastructure.

Forklift parts and lifting equipment

Parts and related equipment form another major section of the redesigned website. Delta Heavy Equipment supplies parts for virtually all forklift makes and models, while its forklift tyre offering includes competitive pricing and professional on-site fitment.

The company also supplies new and replacement forklift forks and can assist customers in identifying the appropriate part for their equipment.

Its Lifting Equipment section includes the DeltaLift range of hydraulic hand pallet jacks, a high-lift pallet jack, a fork-mounted safety cage supplied with compliance documentation and a lithium-ion battery electric pallet jack.

Training, licensing and load testing services

Delta Heavy Equipment also provides services intended to support safe and compliant forklift operations. Forklift driver training and licences can be delivered at customer premises, allowing operators to receive practical instruction relevant to their working environment.

The company can also assist with load testing enquiries and associated forklift support. Load testing is used to establish whether equipment can safely lift and control its rated load and can help identify potential problems involving components such as hydraulic systems, masts, lift chains, forks, steering, brakes and safety systems.

These services are supported through the company’s Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town branches.

Resources for forklift buyers and operators

The Knowledge Hub provides customers and operators with additional information alongside the company’s equipment and services. Its blog covers subjects including forklift rental, purchasing second-hand forklifts, selecting suitable equipment and safe forklift operation.

The hub also contains a video section and a gallery featuring Delta Heavy Equipment forklifts operating across applications such as mining, paving and brick manufacturing, plastics and packaging, recycling and scrap metal, tyre manufacturing and distribution, and warehousing and distribution.

A dedicated page tracing the evolution of the forklift provides further background on the development of the equipment and completes the Knowledge Hub offering.