ON THE COVER:
While there are green shoots for South Africa’s construction materials sector, the landscape remains complex and uneven - leading AfriSam to focus on resilience, agility, long-term investment and strong customer partnerships.
According to Eric Diack, AfriSam’s Executive Chairman and CEO, the most important signal the company is watching is the pace and direction of infrastructure investment across the country. The sector has been characterised by constrained infrastructure spending, rising input costs and shifting demand patterns.
Lokotrack LT400J delivers smarter, high-output crushing
Africa’s mining, aggregates and construction sectors will gain a productivity and efficiency boost with the arrival of the Metso Lokotrack LT400J - now available through Pilot Crushtec.
The advanced high-capacity Metso LT400J marks the next generation of Metso Lokotrack EC range, according to Charl Marais, Sales Manager at Pilot Crushtec. Featuring a diesel-electric drive system, it makes operating costs even more economical.
Afrimat Construction Index shows signs of stability in fourth quarter of 2025
The findings of the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) for the fourth quarter of 2025 have been released, showing a marginal year-on-year increase. This composite index of activity levels in the building and construction sectors is compiled every quarter by economist Dr Roelof Botha on behalf of Afrimat. The index value is expressed in real terms, i.e., after adjustment for the effect of inflation.
The ACI was boosted by a solid 5,4% increase in the volume of building materials produced and a 2,2% real increase in the sales value of building materials. Although the activity levels in South Africa’s construction sector remain subdued, the ACI’s seasonally adjusted reading has increased for the second consecutive quarter – the first time this has occurred since the brief recession of 2020.
Construction leaders urge payment reform and fair risk allocation
South Africa's construction sector is burdened by cash flow pressures, an influx of international competitors and a deepening skills crisis, yet it is cautiously optimistic about opportunities in infrastructure, energy and commercial property. This was the consensus among senior industry leaders at the Constructor's Forum panel discussion at Collective Wisdom 2026, recently hosted by construction law specialist MDA Attorneys.
The panel described an industry that has lost its largest players, is financing its own projects on razor-thin margins, and is under siege from community intimidation, but still adapting and innovating.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD AND READ THIS ISSUE IN PDF FORMAT.
