Category: Building & Construction

Coconut Shells and Africa’s Built Environment: A Circular Economy Pespective

Introduction Coconuts constitute one of Ghana’s coastal zones invaluable natural resource endowments and its full economic potential has for decades been begging for being unlocked while the country’s East Asian compatriots have since been up to their game in that respect. For decades coconut has been generally treated and still continues to treated in Ghana by many simply as a natural goodie on break open the shell- enjoy the refreshing water-albumen-throw away the husk and shell away as waste supposedly and without appreciating them as potential vital raw materials for…

Sustainable Building Materials: Why Middle Eastern Developers Are Moving Beyond Concrete

For decades, concrete has been the default choice for construction across the Middle East. It’s durable, it works in extreme heat, and robust supply chains are established. But that era is winding down. Right now, in 2026, developers are shifting away from conventional materials faster than anyone predicted, and the transition is accelerating.  The numbers are striking. The MEA was the only region in the world to record an increase in demand for green and sustainable buildings in 2025, and that momentum has carried into 2026. While global green construction is slowing,…

Elevating the Greening of Africa’s Real Estate/Built Environment

Need for Integration,Strategic Partnerships et al, echoed…. As ACEACRES 2025 ends in Accra By: Mohammed A. Abu The Third edition of the Africa Construction, Engineering, Architecture, & Real Estate Summit (ACEACRES 2025) the flagship event of the Africa Engineering and Construction Network(ACECEN) has ended in Accra with an acknowledgment of the enormous task ahead as it relates to the green transitioning  of Africa’s real estate sector and her built environment as a whole. Speakers,Presenters and panelists were however  optimistic that, there is light at the end of the tunnel in…

President Ramkalawan Witnesses Handover of 24 Housing Units and Foundation Stone Laying for New Development at Vilaz Zanblon

President Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, witnessed the handing over of 24 housing units to families at Vilaz Zanblon, Cascade, according to an official statement issued in Victoria,Thursday . The 24 units represent Phase 2 of the Village development, comprising 8 three-bedroom units and 16 two-bedroom units constructed by Reliance Engineering at a cost of SCR 24.6 million. The ceremony saw families receiving keys to their new homes as part of the government’s commitment to providing affordable housing solutions. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Land and…

DLD Unveils ‘IPS 2025 Conference’ Agenda and Keynote Speakers

By: Mohammed A.Abu Dubai Land Department (DLD) has announced the agenda for the IPS 2025 Conference, which will take place alongside the exhibition from 14 to 16 April 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The event will bring together leading real estate professionals, experts, and innovators to discuss key industry developments and emerging trends. Majid Al Marri, CEO of the Real Estate Registration Sector at DLD and Chairman of the IPS Organising Committee, emphasised that the IPS Conference underscores Dubai’s commitment to supporting the real estate sector and…

Dubai Property Market sets new benchmarks with Over 50,000 Sales Transactions

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 November 2024: The real estate market in Dubai continues to grow at an exponential rate, driven by increasing demand as an investment destination, relaxing land ownership regulations, the increasing inflow of expats to the Emirate and convenient payment plans offered by developers. Breaking records in standard Dubai style, sales of real estate in the third quarter of 2024 achieved an unmatched milestone, with a total value of almost AED 141.9 billion ($38.7 billion). This surpasses the previous record of AED 124.07 billion ($33.8 billion) set…

Egypt’s $50bn FDI sparks growth in tourism, housing construction

Egypt’s construction industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 8 per cent until 2029, global property services firm JLL said in a report, driven by increased government spending, active public-private partnerships, and continued investments in residential and mixed-use sectors. JLL said in its Egypt Construction Market Intelligence report that the North African country accounts for $515bn or 12 per cent of the MENA region’s unawarded project pipeline the prevailing national and global economic challenges. The value of residential projects in Egypt totalled around $36bn in Q1 2024,…

UAE Society of Engineers Calls for Nominations in 3rd Excellence and Creative Engineering Award

Dubai, UAE, 1 July 2024: The UAE Society of Engineers has announced the opening of nominations for participants in the third session of the Excellence and Creative Engineering Award 2024. The aim is to motivate engineers within the country to excel, create, and innovate by providing advanced engineering solutions. This initiative aims to foster a spirit of competition and leadership while promoting excellence in various fields of engineering, contributing to the prominence and prosperity of engineering work in the United Arab Emirates. In the previous session held in 2023, the…

African Development Bank expands urban support program to six new cities

TUNIS, Tunisia, June 26, 2024/ — The African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) (https://apo-opa.co/4exYmAh) has expanded its African Cities Program to cover six new cities across the continent. The expansion, approved by the Fund’s 13th Oversight Committee, will help bolster urban development and address critical challenges faced by rapidly growing African cities. The newly included cities are: Kolwezi, the Democratic Republic of Congo: mining town grappling with rapid urban growth and environmental issues. Grand Nokoué, Benin: an economic hub with over two million inhabitants. Buffalo City, South Africa:…

Tanzania’s Foreign Ministry Launches the Construction of the Twin Towers in Kenya: Set to Redefine Nairobi’s Skyline

The government of Tanzania has launched the construction of the Twin Towers in Kenya’s capital city,  Nairobi. This adds to Tanzania’s list of  real estate investment properties worldwide, as noted by the country’s foreign affairs minister, January Makamba. The monumental  real estate venture is expected between the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) in Kenya and Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project, once completed, is set to redefine  Nairobi’s skyline while consolidating Tanzania’s diplomatic presence in Kenya. Currently, Tanzania has no on-site embassy, hence the launch of the ambitious project. Furthermore, Tanzania’s government hopes that the project will be a…