The 2nd African Continental Engineering, Architecture, Construction, and Real Estate Summit (ACEACRES 2024) came to a close, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for sustainable and innovative practices in Africa’s built environment sector.
The summit, which took place in Accra, under the theme “Integrating sustainable built environment for socio-economic transformation through the use of new generation technology and generative artificial intelligence” attracted over 300 participants from across the continent and beyond.
The event aimed at reflecting the urgent need for sustainable development in Africa’s built environment. It was also targeted at setting the stage for the integration of the African-built environment whilst creating the opportunity for more partnerships and the promotion of sustainability for corporate growth and African continental prosperity at large.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd (ACECN), Daniel Kontie revealed that integration is a major factor that boosts industry opportunities.
“Integrating makes the cake no longer a national cake but a continental cake bigger than what anyone can bite hence making the opportunities bigger for all industry players. The others were major factors affecting the industry growth, the impact of AI on the built environment, the adoption of sustainability, and how industry issues affect the delivery of housing and infrastructure in Ghana and Africa at large.”
Mr. Kontie stressed the need to rotate the summit across the African continent. Even though he was emphatic about holding the third edition in Ghana. He noted that subsequent editions will either be hosted by Nigeria or Uganda in a rotating order.
Sponsors had the opportunity to engage in B2B, and B2C networking opportunities, with some connecting with manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers as well as end consumers.
Many had the opportunity to meet potential investors, enhance their brand visibility, generate real-timeleads, gain industry insights, and modern trends, identify new business opportunities, seal partnership deals, share product knowledge and utility information with potential customers, demonstrate their unique selling proposition to potential customers, built strong network with influential industry players,connected with top-rated projects /contractors/professionals in Ghana and across the African continent.
Some of the high-profile in-person participants from the African Continent were the keynote speaker Madam Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Engr. Olu Ogunduyile FNSE Vice President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr Dr. Modasiru Bola J. (Principal Partner, Prolarank Nigeria Ltd and General Secretary, the Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineer (NIHTE), Prof. Taddeo Rusoke,Climate Governance & Nature-Based Solutions Expert, Uganda, East Africa, Dr. John Rwakihembo, PhD (Accounting & Finance): Dean, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Mountain of the Moon University, Uganda, East Africa, Dr.Bldr. Abdul Hakeem Odegade, MD/CEO, Akmodel Group, Lagos, Nigeria, Mr, Stephen Merritt, USA, Roadbond EN1 & Technical Consultant, Jemba Solutions.
Among the local industry leaders present were Ing. Isaac Bedu, Registrar, Engineering Council, Ghana, Engr. Seth Ayim, Executive Director, Institute of Engineering and Technology Ghana (IET-GH), Engr. Ben Debrah, National President, Local Government Service Engineers (LoGSEA), Engr. Awal Sakib Mohammed, National President, Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA), Dr. Ebenezer Mireku, President, of Commercial Quarry Operators Association (COQOA), Mr. Samuel Nii N. Tackie, National Vice President, of Certified Electrical and Wiring Professionals Association (CEWPAG), Engr. Jacob Ansong, National President, Ghana Institution of Real Estate Brokers (GhIREB), Dr. Gabriel Apotey, member, Ghana Institute of Safety and Environmental Professionals (GhISEP).
Partners include the Ghana Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET-GH), the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG), the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA), Ghana Institute of Construction (GIOC), Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals Association (CEWPAG), Ghana Association of Real Estate Brokers (GAREB), Local Government Service Engineers Association (LoGSEA), Commercial Quarry Operators Association (COQOA), Engineering Council, Ghana, (EC), the Real Estate Council, (REAC), the Ghana Institute of Safety and Environmental Professionals (GhISEP), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) with Nimark Consult, and Culnad Construction Ltd, as construction firms among several others.
