The second edition of the Big 5 Construct Ethiopia trade show opened today at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, showcasing the rapid growth and development of Ethiopia’s construction industry.

The event was officially inaugurated by Temesgen Tiruneh, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and Chaltu Sani, Minister of Urban and Infrastructure Development. In his remarks, Temesgen noted that the construction sector has become a crucial driver of Ethiopia’s economic progress, contributing 21% to the country’s GDP.

The opening ceremony was also attended by other high-level officials, including Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, and Adanech Abiebie, Mayor of Addis Ababa.

The two-day event has brought together over 160 exhibitors from 22 countries, showcasing the latest products, services and technologies in the construction industry. A key highlight was the Ministerial Forum, which featured in-depth discussions on the role of infrastructure development, tax incentives, and policy reforms in supporting the growth of the sector.

“Big 5 Construct Ethiopia has become a prestigious international event, providing a platform for the public and private sectors to collaborate and drive transformative change,” said Mehtap Gürsoy, Portfolio Director of Construction at dmg events, the organizers of the trade show.

One of the new features at this year’s event is the Construction VR Experience Hub, which allows visitors to immerse themselves in virtual reality simulations of construction sites and safety training scenarios.

Exhibitors at the event showcased a wide range of innovative solutions, from advanced construction materials to power transmission products and steel products for industrial applications. Yared Debebe, CEO of Grace Construction Chemicals, a gold sponsor of the event, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainable building practices through its cutting-edge DARMA products.