Ing Kwabena Bempong, President of GCEA delivering his welcome address at the launch.
The Ghana Consulting Engineers Association (GCEA) has launched the annual FIDIC Africa Infrastructure Conference (FAIC 2026), at the Engineering Centre, Roman Ridge.
The FIDIC Africa 2026 Conference is scheduled to take place in Ghana from 10th May – 13th May, 2026.
Welcoming the guests to the launch, the President of GCEA, Ing Kwabena Bempong, said, AfDB estimates the Annual infrastructure Gap in Africa to be between US$130 and US$170 billion. However, the financial shortfall is about US$68 to US$108 billion. This hinders economic growth, job creation, and access to basic services such as energy, water and transportation.
As consulting engineers, “we are the architects of the built environment, and today we set our sights on a horizon that demands more than just standard solutions. There have been various interventions in the past to bridge this gap and engineering practitioners, especially consulting engineers have been in the forefront of this effort. There is therefore the need to equip ourselves with knowledge and skills that ensure that the investment being made for the provision of infrastructure does not become a waste”.
“This is where the annual Infrastructure conference of FIDIC comes in to present a platform for all practitioners to brainstorm and provide direction for resilient infrastructure”, he added.
The theme for FAIC 2026 is “Future Ready Infrastructure: Advancing Africa through innovation and sustainability.”
Ing. Kwabena Bempong concluded that, GCEA is proud to host this launch and the main conference in May, because they believe that the consulting engineer is the primary guardian of this theme. “We ensure that every project is conceived with a ‘future-ready’ mindset”.
Through FAIC 2026, we aim to:
- Standardise Sustainable Practices: Elevating the bar for consultancy across the continent.
- Bridge the Innovation Gap: Creating a platform for young African engineers to pitch disruptive technologies.
- Lead the Dialogue: Ensuring that “Future Ready” becomes the blueprint for every national development plan in Africa.
The President of GhIE, Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, explained that, since the formation of FIDIC IN 1913, the Federation has become the global voice for consulting engineers and worldwide reference for various forms of conditions of contracts.
He added that the World Bank, along with other multinational and national institutions, relies extensively on these standard forms. He therefore welcomed Africa to Ghana for FIAC 2026 in Accra from 10th May – 13th May, 2026.
The keynote Speaker at the Launch, Ing. Kofi Asare Yeboah, explained the origin of FIDIC, saying: “Our roots on this continent run deep. As far back as 1962, the first African member associations—representing Central Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe joined the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) body. They knew then what we know now: that African engineering deserves a seat at the global table”.
In 1993, that vision took a more formal shape with the birth of the Group of African Member Associations, famously known as GAMA.
“GAMA was formed to be our unified voice. It was created to foster networking, enhance capacity building, and ensure that African consulting engineers were not just spectators, but leaders in regional infrastructure development. Whether it was the landmark 2013 Khartoum conference in Sudan, which drew over 300 delegates or the establishment of our regional presence in Tanzania, GAMA was the engine of our growth”, he explained.
“As we grew, so did our influence. GAMA evolved into FIDIC Africa, reinforcing our direct link to the international body in Geneva while maintaining a laser focus on our continent’s unique challenges”, he concluded.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
