CAIRO-BASED African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has unveiled a pioneering Intra-African Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) platform during a workshop held on the sidelines of the third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023). The platform is strategically designed to empower African contractors by facilitating the seamless posting of crucial infrastructure projects within the EPC space in Africa, promoting increased bidding by EPC companies.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank at Afreximbank, expressed the objective of the workshop, emphasising its role in fostering African participation in large-scale infrastructure projects on the continent. The specialised capacity building programme is expected to equip African contractors with the skills needed to successfully bid for construction projects both within Africa and beyond.
Awani stated, ‘It is our belief that this specialized capacity building programme will enable African contractors to successfully bid for construction projects on the continent and beyond.’
The workshop provided a platform to share the results of a survey highlighting challenges faced by African contractors, as well as critical success factors in winning projects. Representatives from companies such as Mota Engil, Elsewedy, and Hassan Allam shared success stories, underscoring the impact of Afreximbank’s support.
During the presentations, company representatives stressed the importance of allowing the movement of labour across borders to enable EPC contractors to bring in workers with specific expertise. They also advocated for the inclusion of local content requirements in EPC contracts to encourage the use of local contractors and enhance capacity building.
The workshop culminated in the signing of significant facility agreements, totalling $200 million with Hassan Allam, $30 million with Grainer Angola, $50 million with DOTT Services, $200 million with Arab Contractors, $200 million with FDI, and $300 million with Elsewedy.
The launch and activities took place within the broader context of IATF2023, Africa’s largest trade and investment fair, which opened on November 9 and will continue until November 15. Afreximbank’s initiatives align with a broader vision to strengthen the role of African contractors in the continent’s growing infrastructure landscape.
