The main brands in the sector all set to attend the International Construction Equipment Trade Show in Verona (6-9 May 2026): CGT and Komatsu, Hyundai and Kobelco, as well as the return by Volvo CE. SaMoTer 2026 (May 6-9 www.samoter.it) welcomes top names in the construction machinery industry to Verona: leading international brands have all confirmed attendance, alongside a high-profile return. With 6 show halls and 3 outdoor areas, the Exhibition organised by Veronafiere in collaboration with UNACEA and CECE confirms its status as a strategic hub where the entire construction world can come together, discuss issues and plan for the future.

South Africa’s first fully operational intermodal freight village in the KwaZulu-Natal town of Estcourt is actively addressing inefficiencies and congestion along the road freight corridor between Durban and Gauteng. It is now set for a multi-billion-rand expansion that will help contain logistics costs and improve competitiveness for local manufacturers, says EIT Group CEO Wessel Jacobs. A model inspired by European freight villages The freight village is modelled on facilities in Eastern Europe. It functions as a multi-mode logistics centre offering transport solutions and value-added supply chain services for national and international cargo. It currently caters for containerised goods, with scope

Regulatory frameworks are expected to play an even stronger role in shaping the construction sector in 2026s the construction sector advances through 2025, it is setting the foundation for a pivotal transformation in 2026. Across the GCC, sustainability, climate-resilient design, and advanced technology are evolving from emerging priorities into industry standards. The choices made today will determine how effectively the region’s built environment can respond to climate challenges, meet decarbonisation targets, and support long-term economic growth. Key trends and predictions for the construction industry in 2026 point to a sector increasingly shaped by sustainability, climate-resilient design, and advanced technology. Widespread

Despite widespread challenges, companies that embrace digital tools and pursue diverse project portfolios will have a strategic edge over the competition. Opinion Published Jan. 5, 2026 By Daniel Danielle Kaiser is an attorney at Kansas City, Missouri-based law firm Spencer Fane. Opinions are the author’s own. Several forces are expected to make construction especially challenging in 2026, including cost, labor, regulations and project delivery. These issues will affect owners, contractors and trades across both vertical and horizontal work. Cost pressures Material costs for steel, concrete, lumber and key mechanical/electrical components are projected to stay elevated or rise again due to tariffs

KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer has vowed to double the women’s representation in the construction industry. Speaking at a historic launch of the first advisory women’s body under the department for the construction industry on Tuesday, Meyer said he is going to work hard to increase the number of women-owned companies from 11% to double in the construction industry, particularly those doing work for the department. The advisory body, known as She Builds, is the first of its kind by a government department and would advise the MEC and the department in all matters affecting women companies

Durban, South Africa — After a painful December that saw diesel prices soar by up to 82 cents per liter and petrol climb 29 cents, South African motorists are finally catching a break. But knowing exactly when to fill your tank could mean the difference between paying December’s inflated rates and enjoying January’s projected relief. The Critical Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Mark your calendars. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) adjusts fuel prices on the first Wednesday of each month, which falls on January 7, 2026. This means the new, lower prices will take effect at midnight on Tuesday, January

PRETORIA — South Africa has successfully issued its first-ever sovereign infrastructure bond, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to address its critical infrastructure deficit and stimulate economic growth. The inaugural Infrastructure and Development Finance Bond auction, held in early December 2025, raised R11.795 billion (approximately $692 million) and attracted overwhelming investor interest, with bids totaling more than R26 billion—achieving a subscription rate of 2.2 times the amount offered. Bond Structure and Terms The National Treasury structured the offering as two separate tranches to accommodate different investor preferences and project timelines. A 10-year bond raised R6.996 billion at an interest

Eskom is set to take control of electricity services in 47 defaulting South African municipalities, and while it hasn’t named the impacted towns and cities, it has listed the worst offenders. The plan for Eskom to take control of electricity services in the 47 defaulting municipalities was revealed in the 2025 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). MyBroadband asked Eskom if it could name the 47 municipalities in which it will assist with electricity services through Distribution Agency Agreements (DAAs). “The debt relief programme is owned by the National Treasury — designed to support the municipalities. The details pertaining to the 47 municipalities

By Kopano Gumbi PRETORIA (Reuters) -South Africa’s unemployment rate fell slightly in the third quarter of this year, as jobs were added in construction, social services and trade, the statistics agency said on Tuesday. The official jobless rate stood at 31.9% in July-September, down from 33.2% in April-June. Unemployment rose above 30% five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been stuck there since, despite repeated government initiatives to try to boost job creation. Six of the 10 industries tracked by Statistics South Africa recorded employment gains in the third quarter, while four saw decreases. The most jobs were