South Africa and Global Leaders Spotlight Sustainable Progress at Big 5 Global
The Middle East, Africa and South Asia are experiencing a profound transformation in their built environments, with over nine trillion dollars in active projects underscoring unprecedented momentum in infrastructure investment and sustainable development. As cities scale, populations grow and climate priorities take centre stage, leaders across the sector are rallying to drive innovation, resilience and long-term prosperity.
In response to this sweeping growth, Big 5 Global returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from 24 to 27 November 2025, bringing together government ministers, policymakers, financiers, tech pioneers and construction leaders. With more than 1,200 delegates and over 100 globally recognised speakers from regions spanning South Africa to Saudi Arabia, Australia to the United States, the event is set to shine a spotlight on the next era of built-environment leadership.
Big 5 Global, now in its 46th edition, stands as the largest construction gathering in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, drawing more than 85,000 industry professionals and 2,800 exhibitors. This year, the focus is firmly placed on delivering sustainable, data-led and resilient urban futures.
Leading Change, Building Legacies
Hosting four dedicated leadership summits, Big 5 Global presents an unparalleled platform for thought leadership. At the heart of the programme sits the Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, themed Leading change. Building legacies.
This pivotal gathering will convene top executives, ministers and industry influencers, including representatives from South Africa’s Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure and the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). With Africa poised for significant urban expansion and infrastructure investment, their participation marks a crucial contribution to policy, skills development and built-environment transformation.
His Excellency Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister at South Africa’s Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, along with SACPCMP President Lufuno Ratsiku and renowned data strategist Dr Pali Lehohla, will join fellow leaders to discuss growth strategies for Africa’s construction ecosystem.
Sessions will explore governance frameworks, best practice in public-private partnerships and pathways to deliver long-term value across Africa’s infrastructure landscape.
Public and Private Sector Alignment
His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy & Infrastructure, will deliver the keynote, underscoring the UAE’s drive for progressive and sustainable global leadership in infrastructure and urban development.
“The United Arab Emirates stands at the forefront of sustainable global leadership across all sectors, including the ecosystem of the built environment. At this year’s Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, I look forward to highlighting the significance of public and private sector collaboration to drive innovation, excellence, trust, agility and investment across the energy, water, infrastructure, housing, and transportation sectors.”
This focus aligns strongly with South Africa’s ongoing commitment to professionalising the built environment, strengthening regulatory capacity and enhancing project delivery outcomes.
Human-Centred Urban Vision
The LiveableCitiesX Summit follows, exploring how cities can evolve into sustainable, future-ready and equitable hubs of opportunity. With the theme Global cities. Shared futures., the event will bring together senior officials shaping pioneering global cities.
His Excellency Dr Saif Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities & Transportation, headlines a key session moderated by Boston Consulting Group’s Vladislav Boutenko.
Visionaries from across the world will examine funding, innovation policy and people-first design strategies. Notable contributors include Nada Taryam of BEEAH, Mansour Abdulnour Al Rais of Dubai Municipality and Engr Nasser bin Salem Al Wadai of Riyadh Region Municipality.
Dag Detter, international asset investment leader, emphasises the importance of public wealth management in urban growth:
“Unlocking investment in the region’s urban economies starts with how we manage public assets. By bringing private-sector efficiency and transparency into public wealth management, cities across the region can generate long-term value, attract sustainable investment and accelerate their journey toward resilient, liveable urban futures.”
Tomorrow’s Tech, Today’s Reality
Advancements in digital tools are moving from visionary to essential, and the Big 5 FutureTech Summit demonstrates how artificial intelligence, automation and data ecosystems are reshaping construction and governance.
Sessions explore digital permitting, integrated asset management and the edge technologies enabling smarter, safer and more efficient urban landscapes.
Senior leaders, including Marc Nezet of Nemetschek Group, Luke Wu of The GEAR by Kajima and Mohammed Shehata of Expo City Dubai, will discuss the growing convergence between capital investment and construction technology.
Geo-Intelligence at the Forefront
Rounding out the thought leadership series, the GeoWorld Summit bridges policy and geospatial innovation, demonstrating how data-driven mapping, digital twins and advanced intelligence systems enhance infrastructure planning and risk resilience.
Speakers such as Engr Mohamed Al Marri, Yasmeen Al Hashmi and Engr Maitha Ali Al Nuaimi will showcase how spatial technologies are redefining the speed, accuracy and sustainability of urban planning.
Strategic Support and Global Collaboration
Big 5 Global is reinforced by an influential roster of government and private partners, including the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Dubai Municipality, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Riyadh Region Municipality.
Major industry sponsors include the Italian Trade Agency, Arabian Gulf Steel Industries, GF, Würth Group and leading digital providers Nemetschek Group and Procore.
A Platform for Transformation
With global urbanisation accelerating, innovation advancing at pace and sustainability rising as a strategic imperative, Big 5 Global continues to serve as the nerve centre for the next generation of infrastructure leadership.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, notes:
“Together, the four summits form the foundation of Big 5 Global’s thought leadership programme, aligning global collaboration with actionable strategies for economic resilience, sustainable development, digital growth and supply chain excellence.”
Building a Decade of Innovation
As South Africa and global thought leaders gather in Dubai, the dialogue will set the tone for the next decade of construction excellence. By harnessing shared knowledge, promoting professional development and driving future-fit investment strategies, the industry is preparing to deliver smarter, safer and more sustainable cities.
The road ahead promises high-impact partnerships and transformative collaboration, and Big 5 Global stands ready to guide the journey.
Looking Forward with Confidence
Big 5 Global 2025 invites the global construction community to connect, collaborate and create lasting progress.
By aligning policy, technology and professional expertise, the event champions a shared vision for resilient, innovation-led development across emerging and established markets.
