Ghana Launches FAIC 2026 to Tackle Africa's Multi-Billion Dollar Infrastructure Gap

The Ghana Consulting Engineers Association (GCEA) has officially launched the FIDIC Africa Infrastructure Conference (FAIC 2026), set to take place in Accra from May 10 to 13, 2026. This landmark event, hosted at the Engineering Centre in Roman Ridge, aims to confront the continent's staggering infrastructure deficit, which current estimates place between $130 billion and $170 billion annually. With the theme "Future Ready Infrastructure: Advancing Africa through innovation and sustainability," the conference will serve as a critical platform for regional stakeholders to address the financial and technical hurdles stalling Africa’s socio-economic development.

Speaking at the launch, GCEA President Ing. Kwabena Bempong highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting a persistent financial shortfall of $68 billion to $108 billion that continues to hinder access to essential services and limit economic growth across the continent. He emphasized that the primary goal of FAIC 2026 is to equip consulting engineers with the specialized knowledge and innovative tools necessary to ensure that future infrastructure investments are both efficient and resilient. By focusing on sustainability, the GCEA seeks to minimize wasted capital and foster development projects that can withstand the unique challenges of the African landscape.

The event also underscored the historical importance of African engineers in the global landscape. Keynote speaker Ing. Kofi Asare Yeboah traced the roots of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) in Africa and discussed the formation of the Group of African Member Associations (GAMA), which was established to amplify the voice of the continent’s engineering professionals. Similarly, Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), noted FIDIC’s long-standing role as a global advocate for the sector since 1913, stressing that African representation in these international dialogues is essential for shaping the continent's future.

As preparations for the May 2026 conference begin, the GCEA and its partners are calling for increased collaboration between governments, private investors, and engineering professionals. The FAIC 2026 is expected to provide a roadmap for "future-ready" infrastructure that prioritizes innovation as a driver for progress. By fostering a unified African perspective on engineering excellence, the organizers hope to bridge the infrastructure gap and pave the way for a more integrated and prosperous continent.