South Africa’s construction industry continues to lag behind global leaders in the adoption of emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence and broader Construction 4.0 tools, with adoption generally remaining limited and uneven across the sector.

However, there is growing evidence of increased participation and influence of women in the industry, including in technical and leadership roles, contributing to efforts aimed at accelerating digital transformation and addressing this gap.

The Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) is now calling on these innovators to enter its 2026 Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards.

A recent University of Pretoria study, BIM Adoption and Implementation Trends in the South African AEC Industry, found that while 73% of industry participants are aware of these technologies, practical implementation remains hampered by cost barriers, skills gaps and resistance to change.

“As cidb, we know there are women who are adopting these technologies more and more in their businesses. Through recent engagements at events such as Big 5 Construct South Africa and our own roadshows, we’ve seen real enthusiasm across the industry to start implementing technologies that will improve how we build,” says cidb CEO Bongani Dladla.

This year, cidb wants to put the women adopting and implementing these technologies in the spotlight. “We are calling on women who are pioneering the integration of digital technologies and sustainable construction materials into traditional building practices, to enter our Innovative Entity of the Year category,” Dladla says.

Adopting new technology isn’t just about staying current, Dladla notes, adding that it leads to safer construction sites, reduces costly rework, improves coordination across trades and boosts profitability and sustainability across the built environment.

A category for every kind of excellence

Beyond Innovative Entity of the Year, the ERWIC Awards also include:

• Interior Design and Build Project of the Year – recognising women-owned projects demonstrating excellence in delivery and meeting client requirements.
• Professional Team of the Year – honouring collaborative teams where women hold central leadership roles.
• Manufacturing Entity of the Year – spotlighting women leading in construction materials production and prefabrication, an area often overlooked in industry awards.
• Mentoring Entity of the Year – recognising organisations with effective mentoring programmes supporting women’s career development.
• Woman Mentor of the Year – honouring individuals dedicated to guiding the next generation of women in construction.
• Transformation Entity of the Year – celebrating organisations making measurable progress on gender diversity and inclusion.
• Women with Disability Contractor of the Year – recognising a disabled woman or women-owned entity within the construction industry who is making a difference and contributing to the upliftment and support of other disabled women within the industry.

Closing the representation gap

The cidb is particularly urging women to enter because they remain significantly underrepresented in the construction sector. “The ERWIC Awards aim to encourage excellence among women and motivate women in construction by promoting visible role models, especially in lower-grade construction categories where representation is even more critical. Entry provides recognition of excellence, validates transformation efforts, creates industry visibility for groundbreaking work, and opens networking opportunities with industry leaders,” Dlalda concludes.

Entries close on 1 July 2026 and can be submitted at www.erwicawards-cidb.co.za