Report by Dr. Malik Dongla
Board Advisor – African Federation of Construction Contractors Associations (AFCCA)**
Date: June 16, 2025
Subject: Meeting with African Development Bank on Capacity Building for SME Construction Companies
Introduction
On June 16, 2025, a meeting was held between the African Federation of Construction Contractors Associations (AFCCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to discuss collaboration on a new **Capacity Building Program** aimed at supporting small and medium-sized construction companies in Africa. The meeting was attended by key representatives from both organizations, including:
-Marco Masahide Yamaguchi: Manager, Transport and Logistics Division, AfDB
– Tareka Mamr: Business Development Advisor, AfDB
– James Austere: Representative, AfDB
– Dr. Malik Dongla: Board Advisor, AFCCA
-Mr. Toufik Cherradi: Board Member, AFCCA
Meeting Highlights
1. AFCCA Overview
– I introduced AFCCA, emphasizing its role as a unifying body for construction contractors across Africa.
– AFCCA operates under the umbrella of **African Unity**, bringing together national associations and contractors from diverse African nations.
– Training and capacity-building initiatives are central to AFCCA’s strategic goals to improve the competitiveness and professionalism of construction companies in the region.
2. *African Development Bank’s Capacity Building Program
– The AfDB presented its vision for a **Capacity Building Program** targeting SME construction companies to enhance their operational capacity and resilience.
– The program focuses on three key areas:
1. Access to Finance: Helping SMEs navigate financial systems and secure project funding.
2. Capacity Building: Conducting technical workshops to improve contractors’ skills and capabilities.
3. Road Maintenance Training: Developing policy frameworks and certifications to encourage sustainable and climate-resilient road maintenance practices.
3. AFCCA’s Past Training Initiatives
– Mr. Toufik Cherradi, AFCCA Board Member, provided a summary of successful training programs previously organized by AFCCA:
– Training sessions held in Egypt and Morocco, which focused on technical skills, project management, and financial literacy.
– These programs have significantly contributed to building the capacity of contractors in participating countries.
– AFCCA expressed its enthusiasm to collaborate with AfDB in scaling up such initiatives across the continent.
4. Strategic Agreement
– Both parties agreed on the importance of capacity building to improve the quality of infrastructure projects in Africa.
– AFCCA will send a formal letter to the AfDB to express its commitment to the program.
– AFCCA’s Training Committee will collaborate with AfDB to prepare tailored training modules for SME contractors.
– Existing training centers in Egypt and Morocco will serve as hubs for this initiative.
5. AFDB’s Commitment
– Marco Masahide Yamaguchi reaffirmed AfDB’s commitment to investing in African infrastructure projects while creating an enabling environment for quality infrastructure development.
– AfDB emphasized the importance of partnerships with organizations like AFCCA to implement effective training programs.
Key Outcomes
– AFDB’s Capacity Building Program:
A comprehensive initiative covering technical assistance, capacity building workshops, and policy frameworks for road maintenance will be launched.
-AFCCA’s Role:
AFCCA will actively participate in designing and implementing the program, leveraging its existing infrastructure and expertise.
– Next Steps:
– AFCCA will submit a formal letter of interest to AfDB.
– The AFCCA Training Committee will begin preparing tailored training programs.
– Collaboration will focus on creating impactful training initiatives for SME contractors across Africa.
Key Quotes
– Marco Masahide Yamaguchi (AfDB):
“Our commitment to infrastructure development goes beyond financing projects. By creating an enabling environment and building capacity for contractors, we aim to ensure sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure in Africa.”
– Dr. Malik Dongla (AFCCA)
“Training and capacity building are at the heart of AFCCA’s strategic goals. Collaborating with AfDB will allow us to scale these initiatives and empower SME contractors across the continent.”
– Mr. Toufik Cherradi (AFCCA):
“Our past training programs in Egypt and Morocco have proven the value of such initiatives. We are excited to partner with AfDB to develop tailored training for SME contractors in Africa.”
Conclusion
The meeting marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between AFCCA and AfDB, aimed at empowering SME contractors through targeted training programs. This initiative will contribute to improving the quality of infrastructure projects in Africa while fostering economic growth and resilience.
Prepared by:
Dr. Malik Dongla
Board Advisor
African Federation of Construction Contractors Associations (AFCCA)
