The Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) is set to host its Annual Conference at Troutbeck Inn, Nyanga, from November 19-22, 2025, gathering industry leaders and policymakers for critical discussions focused on decarbonizing the construction sector. The event is a pivotal moment for the industry, which globally accounts for a staggering estimated 37-40% of total energy and process-related carbon dioxide emissions, making its transformation crucial in the fight against climate change.
The conference, themed “Embracing Innovation For a Resilient Construction Future,” will feature a powerful line-up of speakers, including the Guest of Honour, Hon. Minister Daniel Garwe of the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. He will be joined by international dignitaries like Her Excellency Mrs. S. Kasunga, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary for Tanzania, and a host of local experts and ZBCA executives such as Eng. T. K. Chinyanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, and Dr. T. Sibanda, Founder of the Africa Carbon Markets Forum.
This strategic focus on climate action is driven by the powerful vision of ZBCA leadership, particularly Dr. Tinashe J. Manzungu, who is an advocate for a transformative shift. According to the association, remodelling the infrastructure sector to align with the Paris Agreement is the “panacea to the habitat anthropogenic emissions crisis.” Decarbonization of this sector is expected to create a spontaneous transitioning of cities into Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).
The speakers and delegates, including ZBCA CEO Mrs. J. R. Zindaga and industry architects, engineers, and financiers, will engage on how to revolutionize the construction sector to make cities and communities “carbon negative.” This monumental undertaking is seen as a key strategy to attract climate finance, accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and drive the continent’s Africa Agenda 2063 objectives, alongside the Global Net Zero Agenda.
The conference will tackle emissions from construction materials (like cement and steel) and operational building energy use, with the aim to craft a resilient blueprint that safeguards the environment while ensuring economic prosperity and infrastructure development for Zimbabwe. The collective call is to move beyond conventional building practices and embrace innovation for a truly resilient future.
