Minister Milupi stresses infrastructure development as key driver of growth at Build Zambia Conference

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Charles Milupi, has emphasized the importance of infrastructure development in driving economic growth and improving the lives of Zambians at the 2025 Build Zambia Conference and Expo.

The three-day conference, which commenced in Lusaka on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, has brought together stakeholders from the construction industry, government, and private sector to discuss key issues and opportunities in infrastructure development.

The event is being held under the theme “Building a Resilient Future: Innovation, Sustainability, and Inclusive Growth” with a focus on promoting private sector participation, regulatory transformation, skills development, and showcasing construction technologies.

Speaking at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Milupi assured participants that the government was committed to building infrastructure capable of withstanding climate change, economic shocks, and demographic pressures.

He further stated that innovation meant adopting new technologies, materials, and methods to deliver better outcomes at lower cost.

“Sustainability means ensuring development today doesn’t compromise future generations’ ability to thrive,” Milupi stated.

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National Council for Construction (NCC) Executive Director, Professor, Paul Makasa, highlighted the revival of the Build Zambia Conference and Expo as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and business-to-government engagement.

“This is not just an event, but a rebirth of a tradition that will grow bigger, stronger, and more impactful each year,” Makasa stated.

NCC Board Chairperson, Ngenda Situmbeko, emphasized the importance of resilience, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in the construction sector.

“Resilience without innovation is stagnation. Innovation without sustainability is short-lived.

“Sustainability without inclusivity is unjust. These pillars form the foundation for a construction sector that drives Zambia’s development,” Situmbeko said.

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