Interview with JOSINE HEIJMANS, Senior Vice President, dmg events
CKS: For those unfamiliar, what exactly is Big 5 Global, and how has it evolved to become such a pivotal platform in the construction and urban development sector across MEASA?
JOSINE HEIJMANS: Big 5 Global is the most influential meeting place for the construction and urban development industry across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA). Over more than four decades, it has grown from a regional exhibition into an international hub for government leaders, developers, contractors, architects, consultants, technology providers and investors.
The MEASA region is experiencing one of the most active development cycles globally, supported by long-term national strategies and major construction and infrastructure programmes. With more than $9 trillion in active and planned projects, organizations require access to reliable partners, innovative solutions and timely market intelligence.
As the construction and urban development sectors face mounting pressures, from rapid urbanization and unpredictable supply chains to urgent sustainability requirements and talent empowerment, businesses must continuously adapt to stay competitive and resilient. Spotlighting these core themes, Big 5 Global returns this year as the central meeting point for international suppliers, industry experts, policymakers and government leaders to address the sector’s most pressing issues, offering practical solutions, strategic connections and insights to help stakeholders meet demand, deliver under pressure and achieve sustainable growth to build long-term success.
This year, the event will host 2,800 exhibitors and more than 85,000 attendees from over 165 countries. It covers the full construction lifecycle across dedicated sectors and nine specialized events, including Heavy, Totally Concrete, Marble & Stone World, Urban Design & Landscape, Windows, Doors & Facades, HVACR World, LiveableCitiesX, GeoWorld and Future FM. Alongside the exhibition, leadership summits will explore sustainable development, digital transformation and the future of cities, reinforcing Big 5 Global’s position in driving collaboration, innovation and industry advancement.
With over $9.18 trillion in planned projects across the MEASA region, what makes Big 5 Global 2025 especially significant for African construction stakeholders this year?
Outside of the planned projects across MEASA, we are seeing $7 trillion in pre-construction, making the 2025 edition of Big 5 Global important for African stakeholders. Ambitious national visions like ‘We the UAE 2031’ and ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ are fuelling regional momentum, unlocking cross-border investment and collaboration that benefit Africa’s infrastructure ambitions.
This year, leaders, including His Excellency Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, South Africa, and Lufuno Ratsiku, President, South African Council for the Projects and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), will address governance, partnerships and delivery models at our Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit. The event also offers African construction professionals direct access to global suppliers, thought leadership and practical expertise to drive sustainable and future-ready urban developments.
What unique opportunities does Big 5 Global offer to South African and broader African companies looking to expand or collaborate across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia?
Big 5 Global gives South African and African companies a direct gateway to international markets, suppliers and technologies. It’s an environment where businesses can identify practical solutions, forge partnerships and explore innovations that address local infrastructure needs. The event also allows African stakeholders to highlight the continent’s strengths and investment potential. By engaging with global industry players, they can position South Africa and the wider region as key contributors to the MEASA construction landscape.
With participation from African government representatives, business leaders and developers, Big 5 Global encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange that translates into real opportunities. For example, housing remains a challenge across much of Africa. At the event, attendees can discover proven approaches and technologies that can be adapted to local markets, helping shape sustainable and scalable projects at home. In essence, Big 5 Global connects Africa’s growth ambitions with global expertise and partnerships that can turn ideas into action.
In what ways has Big 5 Global helped African companies form partnerships or enter new markets in past editions?
For many international stakeholders, Big 5 Global is their first point of contact with companies and opportunities from across Africa. The event serves as a gateway, creating initial connections that frequently evolve into partnerships and market entry initiatives after the show.
This engagement is further supported by our regional editions of Big 5 in key African markets such as South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria and Ethiopia. These geo-adaptations bring the same international network directly to local contexts, allowing African and global stakeholders to collaborate on a more targeted level. Furthermore, this approach ensures that the relationships and business leads initiated at Big 5 Global continue to develop through locally focused platforms, driving long-term partnerships and investment across the continent.
In recent years, sustainability and innovation have become global priorities in construction. How is Big 5 Global showcasing advancements in green building, smart technologies and sustainable infrastructure this year?
As mentioned previously, companies need to keep evolving to stay competitive and resilient in line with urbanization, volatile supply chains, growing sustainability demands and a widening skills gap.
Sustainability is a major focus at Big 5 Global this year. It will be the go-to meeting place for international suppliers, industry experts, policymakers and government leaders to come together, tackle the biggest challenges in the sector, and explore real-world solutions. The event is all about helping businesses meet rising demand, perform under pressure and build sustainably for long-term success.
Conversations will range from early-stage planning and procurement to sustainable construction, talent development and cutting-edge technology shaping the future of the industry.
We’re also celebrating excellence through the fifth edition of the Big 5 Global Impact Awards, with 150 finalists across 19 categories. Out of which, the Sustainable Initiative of the Year award received the most entries this year, displaying a strong sign of the industry’s commitment to a greener, more responsible future.
With $7 trillion in pre-construction developments in the Middle East and Africa, where do you see the biggest areas of synergy between African developers and MEASA-based investors or project owners?
Looking at the regional landscape, it’s essential to understand where growth is currently happening. The MEA region continues to see steady expansion, driven by mega-projects, urbanization as well as construction and infrastructure investments. Specifically, the GCC economies, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have rebounded strongly, supported by high oil revenues and active diversification efforts into technology, green energy and tourism sectors. Saudi Arabia, in particular, remains a construction leader, with significant investments linked to Vision 2030, Expo 2030 in Riyadh and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2034.
Additionally, countries like Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are experiencing gradual recovery, while East Africa maintains high growth rates. Central Africa continues to face challenges largely due to political instability and reliance on oil exports., according to our Knowledge Partner, Ventures Onsite. In terms of market activity, GCC contractor awards reached a record $267 billion in 2024, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounting for approximately $231 billion of that total. If we take a look at South Africa, construction and infrastructure development are key to the country’s economic growth, social progress and sustainability. With a $125 billion construction market and a $193 billion infrastructure market, the sectors directly support the National Development Plan 2030 and National Infrastructure Plan 2050 goals.
Now, I think the biggest synergy lies in three areas.
First, knowledge and technology transfer. The Middle East is moving fast on smart cities, sustainability and AI-driven construction, and African developers can plug into that to accelerate modern building and green development across major markets like Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa.
Second, supply chain and materials. With mega-projects like NEOM consuming huge volumes of steel and cement, Africa’s resource base and growing manufacturing capacity make it a natural partner. That can ease pressure on the regional supply chains while giving African producers access to major demand hubs.
And third, people and capability. As demand continues to rise for labour in key markets across MEASA, and Africa has a young, skilled workforce, structured training and mobility programmes can support project delivery in the Middle East while building long-term talent capacity at home.
Technology from the Middle East, resources and talent from Africa and shared investment in tourism, infrastructure and smart cities create an opportunity to build a more integrated MEASA development ecosystem.
What role does policy – both regional and national – play in shaping future-ready cities, and how does Big 5 Global help stakeholders navigate this complex landscape?
Effective policies and frameworks need to be set and followed for sustainable growth, innovation and resilience by guiding construction and infrastructure investments, smart urban planning and encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies. They also promote environmental sustainability, social inclusion and economic diversification, key factors for building liveable, adaptive cities that can meet the challenges of tomorrow.
However, navigating this complex policy landscape can be challenging for stakeholders. One way we are tackling this challenge is through our Big 5 Global Leaders’ Summit, held under the theme Leading change. Building legacies. The summit convenes ministers, CEOs, financiers and construction leaders to discuss how to drive resilience, ROI and growth amid global uncertainty. The discussion on leadership and legacy extends to city-level planning through the LiveableCitiesX Summit, themed Global cities. Shared futures. The sessions bring together planners, investors and sustainability experts to exchange models for policy, funding and innovation that shape future-ready, human-centric cities. His Excellency Dr Saif Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary, Department of Municipalities & Transportation, will headline an executive dialogue moderated by Vladislav Boutenko, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG’s Global Center for Future Cities, on Abu Dhabi’s liveability vision.
And finally, we are holding the Big 5 FutureTech Summit, focusing on how urban visions increasingly rely on digital transformation under the theme Shaping tomorrow. Driving disruption. Discussions here will move beyond AI narratives to spotlight technologies delivering measurable impact across construction and urban development. The programme will explore how data-driven tools and digital ecosystems are advancing efficiency, cost management and project delivery.
Africa’s urban population is growing rapidly. From your perspective, what does the future of construction in Africa look like over the next decade? / With Africa’s cities growing fast, what’s your outlook for the continent’s construction industry, and how can Big 5 Global help drive this growth?
Big 5 Global creates a space where key stakeholders from across Africa can present their market opportunities to an international audience. We actively collaborate with local associations, government representatives and industry bodies to bring their insights to the global stage and highlight what’s driving growth across African construction and infrastructure sectors. Beyond that, the wider Big 5 portfolio extends these discussions into the continent through our geo-adaptations, such as Big 5 Construct Kenya, Big 5 Construct Egypt, Big 5 Construct South Africa, Big 5 Construct Ethiopia and Big 5 Construct Nigeria.
These localized editions deliver practical content, like CPD-certified talks, and feature both local and international innovations tailored to specific market needs. We also see global brands such as Naffco, Masa, Stanley Black & Decker, Kirby Building Systems and Liebherr, among other long-standing exhibitors participating across these events. Many of them engage first at Big 5 Global, then follow opportunities into Africa as the market continues to expand. This reflects the trust and continuity our partners place in the Big 5 brand as we connect them to emerging opportunities across the MEASA region.
For African SMEs and startups in the construction or urban tech space, what kind of support or platforms does Big 5 Global offer to help them gain visibility and scale?
At Big 5 Global, we help start-ups and SMEs across the MEASA region, including Africa, connect with global markets, investors and industry leaders. Through Start-up City, the region’s leading innovation hub for the built environment, we showcase innovation in construction tech, proptech, urban tech and climate solutions, giving start-ups visibility and credibility to scale internationally.
Last year, Start-up City attracted 12,000+ professionals and generated over $11 million in new business, reinforcing its role as a launchpad for emerging innovators. African start-ups looking to gain direct access to partners, investors and collaborations, Start-up City can help them grow beyond local markets in areas like affordable housing, smart buildings, robotics and green technologies.
We also attract investors, development finance institutions and impact funds specifically interested in African construction and urban technology. This creates natural opportunities for startups to gain the funding they need to scale. We also work closely with industry associations, government agencies and development partners to ensure our startup participants have the support ecosystem they need as they continue to grow their businesses.
Our goal is to ensure that the most innovative solutions addressing Africa’s urban and infrastructure challenges get the visibility, partnerships and resources they need to succeed at scale.
Finally, what advice would you give to construction professionals or companies attending Big 5 Global for the first time to maximize their experience and outcomes?
We encourage returning and first-time attendees to do the right preparation before coming to the event to ensure they maximize potential business outcomes while visiting. One key aspect to remember is not to wait until you’re on the show floor. Download the event app, review the exhibitor list and identify the companies, products and decision-makers most relevant to your business objectives. Create a prioritized list of who you want to meet and what you want to learn. Also, many of our exhibitors and speakers are open to scheduling meetings before the event. Reach out through the Big 5 Global App.
Yes, the exhibition floor is exciting, but the conference programme is where you’ll gain the insights that shape your strategies. You’ll hear about emerging trends, regulatory changes, sustainability requirements and market opportunities that can inform your business decisions in the future.
