AS South Africa faces mounting infrastructure challenges, from chronic maintenance backlogs and underinvestment to the increasing impacts of climate change, Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (CESA) Infrastructure Indaba 2026 will convene the country’s leading engineering and infrastructure stakeholders to drive practical, solutions-focused dialogue.
Taking place from 18 to 19 March 2026, at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC, the two-day summit provides a platform for industry leaders, policymakers and key stakeholders to share insights and foster collaboration across the infrastructure value chain.
Guided by the theme “Pioneering Change: Engineering Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth,” the Infrastructure Indaba will feature high-impact keynote addresses, focused panel discussions and strategic networking opportunities, including Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and the Mayor of the uMngeni Local Municipality Chris Pappas.
The programme, which includes sessions such as ‘Transformation: Advancing an Inclusive Engineering Profession Through Meaningful BB-BEE, Employment Equity Targets, and Other Diversity Initiatives and ‘Capacity Building: Engineering Professional Excellence Across Public and Private Sectors’ on Day 1, is designed to translate engineering expertise into tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, support economic growth and improve the resilience of South Africa’s infrastructure systems.
On the second day, the topics will focus on ‘Developing Efficient Infrastructure for Economic Growth’ and ‘Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure’, among others.
CESA CEO Chris Campbell said the growing public pressure around infrastructure performance underscores the urgency of the event. “Infrastructure challenges are no longer abstract, they are being debated daily across social media, radio television and in communities across the country. From failing roads and water shortages to power instability and delays at ports, people are frustrated and demanding real solutions.
“The Infrastructure Indaba is our direct response as CESA: a platform where industry leaders come together to address these challenges, champion innovation and drive inclusive growth that improves lives and livelihoods,” he noted.
Key discussions at the Infrastructure Indaba will include focus on technology and innovation, transformation and capacity building; public-private partnerships, procurement and governance frameworks; finance and funding; and more. In his Ministerial keynote address, Minister Ramakgopa will speak on professionalisation of the state and the central role engineers, across all three spheres of government and parliament play, as well as fast-tracking energy and electricity infrastructure, among other topics.
Drawing on his experience in development economics and ethical municipal governance, Pappas, a TIME Magazine 100 Next Generation Leader, will share practical lessons on accountability, strategic planning and building inclusive infrastructure in the public sector.
Other speakers will include Professor Mohamed Mostafa, Chair and Director of KZN Department of Transport Chair in Sustainable Transportation, South African Local Government Association CEO Sithole Mbanga, Transnet National Ports Authority CEO Mohammed Abdool, cidb Director: Construction Industry Performance Ishmail Cassiem, Development Bank of Southern Africa CEO Boitumelo Mosako and many more.
“The Infrastructure Indaba 2026 aims to bring together those responsible for planning, funding and building the systems the country depends on. We encourage members of the public and private sector to attend,” Campbell concludes.
