South Africa Setting the Stage for Infrastructure Evolution

South Africa Setting the Stage for Infrastructure Evolution

South Africa’s construction and infrastructure sector is gearing up for a landmark event as Big 5 Construct South Africa and the South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo return to the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 18–20 June 2025. With over 30 CPD-certified sessions, four tailored forums, and dozens of high-calibre speakers, the 2025 edition promises to be a catalyst for progress in one of Africa’s most strategic sectors.

The event is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the country’s infrastructure ambitions—valued at around $193 billion—while supporting the construction market, itself worth a robust $125 billion, according to AbiQ. As South Africa gains traction following a challenging 2024, this year’s gathering aims to unify public and private stakeholders to build resilience, scale professional standards, and unlock infrastructure funding.

Driving National Recovery Through Infrastructure Investment

Backed by a government commitment of over $50 billion towards infrastructure over the next decade, the events underscore the country’s reliance on construction-led growth. This investment is strategically aligned with initiatives like the National Infrastructure Plan 2050 and the R1 trillion Transmission Development Plan, making construction a cornerstone of national development and economic recovery.

Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events, explains: “Our content programme has been developed to reflect the full scale of transformation underway in South Africa’s infrastructure, water and construction sectors. With government-led development driving renewed momentum and private sector contribution growing, these sessions will provide professionals with tangible insights into overcoming obstacles and unlocking opportunities.”

South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum

Held for the first time alongside the South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, the two-day South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum creates an exclusive platform for senior government officials, policy experts, and infrastructure strategists. Day one delves into power, logistics, and PPP strategies, while day two turns its lens to the water sector, focusing on high water loss, ageing infrastructure, and funding challenges.

A particularly anticipated highlight is the keynote by Mameetse Masemola, Acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa, who will explore the intricacies of the National Infrastructure Development Plan.

In a power-packed panel moderated by Alvino Wildschutt-Prins of Infrastructure South Africa, industry leaders including Johnson Kilangi (Miundo Misingi Hub, Kenya), Wynand Dreyer (Dreyer Project Dynamics), John Samuel (PPP Advisor, J Maynard), and Hendrik Malan (Frost & Sullivan) will dissect the challenges and benefits of PPPs in delivering large-scale projects.

Also on the roster are renowned thought leaders like:

• Shabari Shaily-Gerber, British High Commission

• Mike Salawou, African Development Bank

• Rembu Magoba, CSIR Water Research Centre

Together, they bring a transcontinental perspective on policy innovation, implementation barriers, and research-led development.

Infra360 and Water360 Talks

Free to attend for all registered visitors, Infra360 and Water360 Talks provide an immersive learning environment for technical professionals. These CPD-certified sessions zero in on the nuts and bolts of project delivery, smart planning, and sustainability.

Infra360’s programme is a veritable blueprint for future-focused delivery. Topics span digital infrastructure, BIM implementation, 5D planning, digital twin integration, ethics, and workforce upskilling. One session that’s set to spark lively discussion is by Sindi Kwenaite from the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), who will unpack the importance of professional registration in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.

Meanwhile, Water360 dives into the ever-urgent topic of water resilience. The sessions will explore smart water grids, decentralised distribution, wastewater reuse, and new material solutions for infrastructure longevity. Expert speakers like David Crawley (Kwikot) and Heinrich Ueckermann (Freudenberg Performance Materials) will showcase how next-gen design and engineering can dramatically improve water security.

Big 5 Talks: CPD-Certified and Strategically Packed

Big 5 Talks return as the flagship educational platform tailored to construction professionals seeking actionable insight and CPD points. With its finger firmly on the pulse of the sector’s challenges and opportunities, this year’s series covers everything from project insurance and modular housing to lifelong learning and behavioural safety.

Tyrelle Correa of Mirabilis Engineering Insurance Specialists will take delegates through the finer points of bridging liability gaps, while Sanjay Munnoo, President of Saiosh, brings a human angle with his session on cultivating a culture of safety across the construction life cycle.

Additional sessions will examine:

• Sustainable interiors and green building practices

• Workforce transformation and lifelong skills development

• Practical routes to career advancement in a fast-evolving sector

An All-Inclusive View on Infrastructure

Under the theme “Building Tomorrow: Innovating Infrastructure and Water Solutions for a Thriving South Africa”, this year’s event aims to galvanise collaboration across policy, practice, and procurement. The conversation is no longer just about pipes, power, and pavement—it’s about purpose-driven investment, agile delivery, and digitally-enabled solutions.

Attendees can expect:

• Exposure to the latest technologies reshaping construction and water management

• Networking with government agencies, funders, and suppliers

• Sessions curated to bridge policy and implementation gaps

The Gallagher Convention Centre will also play host to the co-located Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo, extending the narrative to encompass mobility infrastructure, logistics corridors, and integrated urban development. Together, the co-located events will form a powerful triad of influence, connection, and innovation.

Be There or Miss the Future

Registration is now open and free for construction professionals aged 18 and over. Seats for the South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum are limited and require separate registration—so early sign-up is strongly encouraged.

From actionable insights to real-world solutions and invaluable contacts, Big 5 Construct South Africa and the South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo are set to become the meeting point for the people, projects and policies shaping the next decade.