The event is sponsored by the Ethiopian Ministry of Urban Infrastructure and will be held at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s construction market is supported by major projects such as La Gare, Absela International Airport and Mesob Tower. The holding of the East Africa Infrastructure and Water Expo supports the $395 billion infrastructure market.
Ethiopia’s construction market is valued at $67 billion, driven by the country’s economic growth priorities under the 2020-30 10-year development plan (Source: ABiQ). To support this ambition, the 2025 edition of the country’s largest construction event, Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, will be held from June 26 to 28 at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. Sponsored by the Ministry of Urban Infrastructure, the event brings together international companies and local opportunities, enabling business networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Co-located with Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, the 1st East Africa Infrastructure and Water Expo will expand the impact of the event with the participation of government representatives, utility service providers, regulators and public project owners. This expanded focus will strengthen regional cooperation and support critical infrastructure development across East Africa.
This is happening at the same time as Ethiopia accelerates investment in innovative projects across transport, water, power and ICT. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Mesob Tower, airport expansion, and major highway projects are some of the region’s megaprojects and modernization efforts. Ethiopia’s pipeline of multi-billion dollar projects, from residential real estate to logistics hubs, including the $1.5 billion La Gare urban redevelopment and the $7.8 billion Absela International Airport, is attracting growing interest from construction companies, material suppliers and technology providers.
“Launching the East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo alongside Big 5 Construction Ethiopia supports Ethiopia’s development vision by enabling the exchange of expertise, technology and investment,” said Josin Heimans, Senior Vice President, Construction Events. “Ethiopia’s infrastructure market is valued at $395 billion, and these events will allow international companies to form strategic partnerships with Ethiopian and East African stakeholders, enabling knowledge exchange and creating opportunities to realize some of the region’s construction and infrastructure goals (Source: ABiQ).”
International exhibitors and country pavilions
The exhibition will offer visitors the opportunity to interact with more than 230 exhibitors, including international and local brands, showcasing high-quality products, materials and technologies tailored to Ethiopia’s growing construction and infrastructure needs. Some of these include Jotun and Asian Paint, which are known for their durable coatings and finishes. NAFFCO is a leader in fire suppression equipment, fire protection, alarm and safety systems. USG, manufacturer of interior architectural products. Emirates National Copper Factory, electrical and construction grade copper solutions provider. SCAFFCO is known as a leading provider of efficient scaffolding and formwork solutions.
The event will also welcome first-time exhibitors such as Signify (Philips Lighting), known for its high-quality, energy-efficient lighting solutions. Thomsun Industries, a brand in the building materials division. Bitumat is a manufacturer of advanced waterproofing and roofing solutions. The range of solutions on display is further expanding and the demand in this field is increasing.
Country pavilions such as Germany, Turkiye, China, Italy and India highlight the growing international interest in the market. Across Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, exhibitors will cover areas such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) services, building materials, construction tools and personal protective equipment, heavy construction equipment, and digital construction. Meanwhile, the East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will focus on smart cities, urban mobility, waste and water management, power and communications infrastructure solutions.
Knowledge sharing and CPD certification talks
The Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and East Africa Infrastructure and Water Expo will feature CPD-accredited lectures and practical sessions focused on regional priorities, providing a rare opportunity to learn, connect with decision makers and engage with government and industry leaders. Big 5 Talks will feature sessions on architecture and design, project management, technology, and sustainable building materials. New thematic programs Infra360 and Water360 will explore practical solutions to East Africa’s infrastructure and water challenges, from smart systems and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to resource-efficient technologies and urban resilience.
The East Africa Infrastructure & Water Summit is a premium, invitation-only program that convenes policy makers, project owners and technical experts to consider the region’s unique strategies and infrastructure development pathways. “Urbanization in Ethiopia and across the wider East Africa region is creating new business opportunities at an unprecedented pace. Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and the East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will support and accelerate this growth,” concluded Mr. Hymans.
Registration for the free event is now open to trade and industry professionals ages 18 and older. For more information, please visit www.big5constructethiopia.com | www.eastafricainfra Structureexpo.com
