Chief Executive Officers in the facilities management (FM) industry have called on Africa to develop its own approach to growing the sector instead of simply adopting systems used in Europe and North America.

They made the call during the CEOs’ Debate at the IFMA Global Conference on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

The CEOs said Africa’s large workforce is one of its greatest strengths and should be developed through proper training and skills development.

They explained that growing the FM industry is not only about adopting new technologies or developing more infrastructure. It also involves improving people, processes and the way services are delivered.

According to them, African countries must understand their unique needs and develop solutions that are suited to their local environments.

They stressed that Africa should not simply copy foreign systems, as approaches that work in Europe or North America may not always be effective in Africa.

The CEOs said the continent’s developing infrastructure also presents an opportunity to create new and innovative FM systems tailored to Africa’s needs.

They added that innovation goes beyond machines and technology, noting that training, skills development and new ways of working can also drive the growth of the industry.

IFMA Global Conference focuses on technology and future of facilities management

They further emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between governments, private sector operators, professional associations and educational institutions to create a more structured FM ecosystem across the continent.

According to the CEOs, greater collaboration would help establish industry standards, improve professional development and create clearer career pathways for young people entering the facilities management sector.

They also highlighted the importance of recognising facilities management as a strategic business function rather than simply an operational or support service. They said effective FM can improve productivity, reduce operational costs, enhance workplace safety and help organisations make better use of their assets.

The CEOs noted that Africa’s rapid urbanisation and growing demand for commercial, industrial, healthcare and residential infrastructure would create significant opportunities for the FM industry.

However, they cautioned that the sector must be prepared to respond to these opportunities by investing in human capital, professional standards and innovative service models.

They also called for greater use of data and technology to improve decision-making, asset management, energy efficiency and maintenance, while stressing that technology must be adapted to local realities and not adopted merely for its own sake.

The CEOs therefore urged FM professionals across Africa to harness the continent’s workforce, talent and unique conditions to build a stronger, more innovative and sustainable industry.

They said Africa has an opportunity to move from being a consumer of imported FM models to becoming a source of solutions and expertise that can address its own challenges and potentially serve other emerging markets.

DR/MA