A growing body of microeconomic evidence shows that an increase in women’s education, labour force participation and earnings stimulates socio-economic development.  In Africa, there is real and timely potential for developing countries to stimulate their rate of economic growth through the general empowerment of women.  In fact, the emergence of expanded roles for women in the construction industry is an indicator of economic development, one that is of increasing importance to the construction sector.  This growing industry trend is reflected at the TotallyConcrete Expo, scheduled to host the Women in Construction Excellence Awards ceremony to recognise pioneering women who are transforming the face of the African built environment through their expertise and innovation.

“The increasing number of professional women now active in the construction sector is a positive sign for both national and regional economies in Africa,” says Elizabeth O’Leary, Executive Director of Khuthaza in South Africa and featured speaker at the TotallyConcrete Expo.  Khuthaza offers a number of programmes and support services aimed at promoting the empowerment of women in the industry.  Elizabeth O’Leary is also one of the nominees for TotallyConcrete’s Women in Construction Excellence Award.  Other nominees include Busi Legodi, PPC’s first black female General Manager, Michelle Williams, Owner of Bella M Readymix in South Africa, Professor Elsabe Kearsley, Head of Civil Engineering at the University of Pretoria, Sebasti Badenhorst, Concrete Applications Business Executive at Protech Kuthele, Itumeleng Dlamini, Executive Director of the Master Builders Association of South Africa, and Makoekie Tsotetsi owner of Impota Trading in South Africa.

With special guest speakers such as Clara da Cruz Almeida, architect and designer of the new Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg, and Elsie Snyman, CEO of Industry Insight in South Africa, TotallyConcrete’s Women in Construction Excellence Awards will be on the cutting edge of industry development.   Elsie Snyman says of the construction industry, “The construction industry is not only a major contributor to GDP, it is also a major stimulus for economic growth and a catalyst for job creation.”

Nicky Weimar, Senior Economist at Nedbank Group will deliver the keynote address at TotallyConcrete, providing vital insight into the future of the larger African economy.  With an average growth rate of 6.1% predicted for Sub-Saharan Africa, TotallyConcrete is a timely platform endorsed by the industry to help prepare for national, regional and continental socio-economic development and get ready for the new market opportunities it will bring.

PPC, Lafarge, Dangote, Sephaku, AfriSam, NPC Cimpor and Reimer are the sponsors of the event and in addition there will be over 75 exhibitors offering construction industry professionals the opportunity to meet the right people to help them perfect project delivery and win more tenders in Africa’s diverse regions of lucrative development.  The TotallyConcrete Expo is the only all things cement, concrete and construction event crafted to provide the entire industry ecosystem with the tools and solutions needed to manage projects of all sizes and ensure their delivery on time and on budget.