Construction

Smart building solutions transform Eastern Africa

Smart building solutions by BASF and Takazuri

Additive packages from BASF have been specifically tailored to suit the unique weather conditions of the region.

Takazuri and BASF have teamed up to deliver durable smart building solutions in Eastern Africa, focusing on climate resilience with sustainable products

This collaboration features Takazuri’s Climatile technology, which uses locally sourced and processed post-consumer materials, paired with BASF’s additive packages customised for the region’s unique weather conditions. The aim is to offer long-lasting, eco-friendly solutions that drive economic development in Africa and positively impact the construction industry and local communities, with the potential to expand to other regions.

“Sustainability is at the core of our business. Our commitment is reflected in our products, which are designed for high performance and multi-functionality while utilising locally collected and converted waste from urban settings, and soon, from ocean plastics collected off the Kenyan coast,” explained Maria Schlesinger, co-founder and CEO of Takazuri.

According to the African Development Bank Group, Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050. This rapid growth and urbanisation are increasing plastic waste and the demand in construction sectors. Takazuri aims to address this by providing affordable climate resilience solutions through local resources and partnerships in various sectors, including housing, commercial, healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief.

Climatile is a roofing and cladding solution designed to enhance indoor temperatures with superior insulation and improved solar reflectance and emittance. It also features a safe rainwater-harvesting surface that resists corrosion. The Climatile system includes a smart clipping mechanism that enables the addition of functional accessories, such as ultra-light frameless solar panels and biophilic components, making it an “upgradable” solution for climate resilience.

Takazuri has been committed to advancing Kenya’s role in climate action and sustainable construction. With products projected to expand across the region and continent, Takazuri is leading the charge towards a more resilient and eco-friendly construction industry in Africa.

“Throughout the development of our technology, BASF has been an invaluable partner, assisting us in areas such as process optimisation, thermal stabilization, and enhancing the service life of the post-consumer recyclates. BASF’s expertise has been crucial in creating additive packages tailored to the region's harsh weather conditions,” added Schlesinger.

Takazuri has also partnered with Gabriel Chemie, a prominent European masterbatch producer, to supply customised Combi-Batch containing colors and stabilizers. This helps ensure dispersion and homogeneity in the polymer matrix during tile conversion.

Plastics require stabilization against thermal and photo-oxidation to meet processing, life cycle, and application requirements. Additive stabilizers are essential not only for virgin plastics but also for improving the quality of post-consumer recyclates used in sustainable applications like Climatile. Proper restabilization with antioxidants and light stabilizers is critical for ensuring the long-lasting performance of Climatile technology, offering leak-free roofing at an affordable cost.

“Our team worked closely with the Takazuri team to understand the technical requirements, specifications, and market positioning of Climatile. This collaboration allowed us to design an optimal additive system to address the challenges of using post-consumer recycled materials for extended outdoor exposure,” said Bettina Sobotka, head of global marketing and development, plastic additives at BASF. “We hope this collaboration benefits the construction sector and local communities in East Africa, fostering economic growth.”

SANRAL plans numerous contracts before close of year

Construction of the flagship N2WCR project. (Image source: SANRAL)

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) expects to award a further R3.8bn (approx. US$212mn) by the end of the year

The new flurry of awards follows R1.4bn (approx. US$79mn) the organisation has awarded in tenders in its Southern Region since the start of the 2024/25 financial year. These include the likes of the contract for the construction of the R61 section between Luqoqweni and Bambisana; the upgrading of the N2 section from Bloukfrans to Storms Rivers; and the contract for the slope stabilisation along the R61 section near Cofimvaba.

“Our accelerated road infrastructure build programme is on track to bring the state of the province’s road network to a pristine and safe driving standard while improving accessibility in rural and remote areas of the Eastern Cape,” remarked Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s southern region manager. “Since the beginning of this financial year, we have awarded 12 road infrastructure contracts amounting to a total investment of R1.4bn. Furthermore, 24 tenders are in evaluation stage, and we anticipate these to be awarded in the last quarter of the year.”

More construction contracts to come

The contracts still expected to be issued before the year – most currently in the evaluation phase – include the upgrading of the R61 sections from All Saints to Bhaziya and between Qumanco and Ngcobo; the upgrading of the Pikoli to Glenmore access road from the N2 intersection; and the upgrading of the R62 from Louterwater to Kareedouw.

“The bulk of the investment will be in the Eastern part of the province, which is the most populous area of the Eastern Cape and where the road infrastructure is lacking,” continued Peterson. “Our focus will largely be around Mthatha as a key economic hub of the province with a total investment of around R5bn to improve mobility in and out of the city along the N2 from Viedgesvile to the city centre and later in 2025 on the R61 from the Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street.”

BIA sets new ambitions in African market through Sumitomo partnership

Senior executives from BIA Group and Sumitomo Corporation posing for a picture.

Left to right: Takuya Yamamoto, head of construction & mining equipment business unit No.2 Sumitomo Corporation; Romain Bia, deputy CEO BIA Group; Kenichi Hyuga, general manager, construction & mining system SBU Sumitomo Corporation; Vincent Bia, CEO BIA Group; and Damien De Prijck, CFO BIA Group. (Image source: BIA Group)

BIA Group, an exclusive distributor of Komatsu equipment and other OEMs in Africa, has formed a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, an operator of a diverse portfolio of businesses including a longstanding experience in the distribution of Komatsu equipment and rental

The two have agreed to partner with an eye to furthering the growth of their businesses and to generate synergies. The deal includes a minority investment by Sumitomo in the BIA Group and aims to bring together the two companies’ track records as Komatsu distributors and experience as independent OEM distributors in complementary geographies and industries.

Sumitomo Corporation will gain exposure to the mining and construction machinery market in the European and African geographies served by BIA Group, while BIA Group will benefit from Sumitomo Corporation’s global network and its experience in the distribution of Komatsu equipment in complementary geographies.

Meeting Africa's construction and mining needs

“We are very proud of the interest and trust shown by Sumitomo Corporation in partnering with BIA Group,” remarked Vincent Bia, CEO of the BIA Group. “This partnership allows BIA Group to set up new ambitions in the growing African market. By leveraging both companies’ long experience in the distribution of Komatsu equipment, we will be able to strengthen our market position by offering innovating solutions to our customers in the construction, mining, transport, and energy segments.”

Kenichi Hyuga, general manager, construction & mining systems strategic business unit, added, “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with BIA Group, a pioneer of distribution business in Europe and African countries for more than a century. We are committed to creating value through this partnership, leveraging the strengths of both companies to achieve sustainable growth. Sumitomo Corporation intends to contribute to the future development of BIA Group and the enhancement of customer satisfaction by investing its long-accumulated business management experience in mining and construction equipment distributors.”

Construction begins on Ghana’s US$12bn petroleum hub

Various images from the ceremony in Ghana

The project carries an estimated total cost of US$12bn. (Image source: The Republic of Ghana Presidency)

The first phase of Ghana’s Petroleum Hub Project was kickstarted by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo breaking the ground at a commemorative ceremony in Nawule, Western Region

The project carries an estimated total cost of US$12bn and is being delivered in order to elevate the West African country’s standing as a key player in the continent’s energy landscape and address its power challenges. Developed in three independent phases, the hub is set to include a 300,000 barrels per day refinery, a petrochemical plant, and extensive storage and port facilities. When operational, it is expected to create approximately 780,000 direct and indirect jobs, help to stabilise the national currency, and stimulate local economic development.

“Today is a very good day for our homeland, Ghana,” remarked the President. “This project promises to be a cornerstone of our nation’s development, ensuring that all Ghanaian homes and industries have access to reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable energy.”

He continued by underscoring the strategic importance of the project, before adding that the new facility would not compete with existing refineries in the region, but rather complement them. He also highlighted the environmental considerations taken into the project design, including green buffers to support local fauna and flora.

TCP-UIC Consortium will lead the first phase of the project. This comprises several international partners and has been chosen for its technical expertise and financial capacity to deliver on the project’s timelines. The progression of the initiative is expected to lead to the establishment of the Jomoro Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (JPHDC).

Bell Equipment supports science laboratory refurbishment in South Africa

South African students dressed in laboratory dress.

The Forte Secondary School fulfils an important role of educating 2,400 learners. (Image source: Bell Equipment)

Bell Equipment, a South African manufacturer of mining, construction and agricultural equipment, has sponsored the refurbishment of a science laboratory at the Forte Secondary School in Dobsonville, Soweto, under the auspices of the South African Medical and Education Foundation (SAME Foundation)

The facility has now been officially taken into use – following an eight-week refurbishment period – and was marked by a special unveiling ceremony. It marks a happy milestone for Bell Equipment, which committed to getting involved in the project when it was approached by the SAME Foundation, a non-profit organisation which raises funds and manages socio-economic development allocations to improve the health and education environment in South Africa, in 2023. The Foundation has a track-record of completing more than 150 high-impact projects in the last 20 years, investing and positively influencing millions of South Africans.

Tyrone Pols, spokesperson for the SAME Foundation, commented, “We as a foundation were heartened when Bell Equipment showed its eagerness to become involved in this very worthwhile project at the Forte Secondary School. The science laboratory at this school was in a dilapidated state and with Bell Equipment’s generous funding, we could oversee the replacement of the floor, ceiling, windows, doors and security gate as well as several coats of durable paint.

“We could then order new laboratory benches, stools and cupboards before new laboratory equipment applicable to the curriculum was acquired. Advanced technology has been added with a touch-screen white board and digital projector.”

Bruce Ndlela, Bell Equipment’s director: business and public sector development, added, “We as Bell Equipment employ around 4,000 people world-wide and, as we’ve assisted in the refurbishment and equipping of many similar laboratories and centres of learning in South Africa, it shows that we believe in our youth and the potential that they show.”