ConstructAfrica Unveils Industry Advisory Board to Accelerate Africa's Infrastructure Growth

The CIAB is a multi-disciplinary advisory body comprised of high-profile executives, government officials, academic experts, development finance specialists, and industry innovators.

ConstructAfrica, the premier market intelligence and thought leadership platform focused on construction and infrastructure across the African continent, has taken a significant leap forward in its mission with the formation of the ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board (CIAB). This newly inaugurated board brings together a powerhouse collective of seasoned leaders and experts from across the globe to steer the continent’s infrastructure development into a new era of growth, innovation, and sustainability.

A Cross-Continental Council of Visionaries

The CIAB is a multi-disciplinary advisory body comprised of high-profile executives, government officials, academic experts, development finance specialists, and industry innovators. Representing a spectrum of regions and sectors, board members offer ConstructAfrica a wealth of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and access to influential networks.

From leading construction CEOs to global finance professionals and vice chancellors, each member brings a critical lens and collaborative spirit to the board’s mandate. These diverse voices will ensure balanced representation and meaningful insight across the full breadth of Africa’s infrastructure ecosystem.

Mission and Strategic Focus of the CIAB

The CIAB’s mission is firmly anchored in driving strategic guidance, promoting inclusive collaboration, and supporting ConstructAfrica’s overarching vision: providing credible, actionable intelligence to inform infrastructure planning and policy across Africa. As the continent navigates complex infrastructure needs and an evolving investment landscape, the CIAB will play a vital role in:

• Enhancing Thought Leadership: Curating forward-looking discussions that spotlight emerging trends, innovations, and critical challenges in infrastructure development.

• Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration: Connecting public sector bodies, private developers, multilateral institutions, and investors for cohesive and impactful partnerships.

• Mobilizing Investment: Helping unlock finance by building confidence among global and regional stakeholders through data-backed insights and strategy.

• Shaping Policy and Capacity Building: Advising on policy directions while supporting knowledge-sharing and talent development across institutions.

Words from the Leadership

Dr. Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, who has been appointed as the inaugural Chair of the CIAB, expressed his enthusiasm and sense of purpose in leading this important initiative. He stated:

“It is a privilege to lead the ConstructAfrica Industry Advisory Board at a time when Africa’s infrastructure agenda is more critical than ever. This initiative brings together a powerful coalition of experience, expertise, and vision — committed to shaping a resilient, inclusive, and investment-ready infrastructure landscape. ConstructAfrica plays a vital role in equipping stakeholders with trusted, actionable intelligence, and the Advisory Board will amplify this impact by driving thought leadership, collaboration, capacity building, and strategic alignment across sectors and borders.”

Dr. Segun Faniran, Founder and Publisher of ConstructAfrica, highlighted the formation of the CIAB as a transformational step in the organization’s evolution:

“The formation of the Industry Advisory Board marks a major milestone in our growth journey. With the leadership of Dr. Ogunshakin and the collective strength of our Board members, we are poised to expand our influence and deepen our engagement with both public — government, multilateral institutions — and private sector — developers, clients, investors, contractors, operators, technologists, and broader continental stakeholders.”

Distinguished Members of the CIAB

The CIAB boasts a prestigious list of members, each with a proven track record of leadership in infrastructure development:

• Dr Nelson Ogunshakin FREng, OBE – Chair, AEO Group & Board Director, HS2 Ltd, UK

• Derreck Omath – Director General, Infrastructure Agency, Seychelles

• Malani Padayachee-Saman – CEO, MPAMOT, South Africa

• Gilbert Sassine OFR – CEO, Cranebury Construction, Nigeria

• Matthew Jordan Tank – Director, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), UK

• Dr Olubukola Tokede – Senior Lecturer, Deakin University, Australia

• Rachel More-Oshodi – CEO/MD, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Ltd, Nigeria

• Eng Amanuel Hailemariam – General Manager, Association of Civil Engineers, Ethiopia

• Chris Campbell – CEO, Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), South Africa

• Mark Worrell – CEO, Estate and Infrastructure Exchange (EIX), UK

• Professor Dr Khumbulani Mpofu – Vice Chancellor, Solusi University, Zimbabwe

• Dr Segun Faniran – Founder & Publisher, ConstructAfrica, UAE

• Jenni Chamberlain – Founder & CEO, Altree Capital, Switzerland

• Richard Stockdale – Senior Non-Executive Director, DAR Global Plc, UAE

Positioning for Africa’s Infrastructure Renaissance

With the CIAB now established, ConstructAfrica aims to become an even more formidable enabler of infrastructure progress — not only as a trusted information resource but as a driver of sectoral alignment and investment readiness. The board’s insights will be pivotal in shaping ConstructAfrica’s content, research agenda, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence.

The CIAB will meet regularly to assess progress, advise on emerging opportunities, and support the implementation of ConstructAfrica’s strategic goals. This initiative solidifies ConstructAfrica’s role as a nexus between intelligence and action, helping governments, investors, and industry leaders make better-informed decisions that uplift communities and economies across Africa.