Overcoming Challenges in the Construction of Sports Stadiums in Africa

As a steel structure supplier, having been deeply involved in multiple stadium construction projects across Africa, we have gained profound insight into the unique challenges presented by this continent of immense potential. From tropical rainforests to the Sahara Desert, from inadequate infrastructure to skills shortages, each project has served as a comprehensive test of technical adaptability and managerial flexibility.

I.Technical and Environmental Challenges: Tailoring Responses to Africa’s Diverse Natural Conditions

1. Extreme Climates and Structural Steel Durability

The climatic conditions in Africa pose significant challenges to the durability of structural steel. In West Africa, the hot, arid, and dusty environment leads to severe corrosion of steel canopies. In coastal regions, the high salinity of the air further accelerates the corrosion process of metallic materials.

Solutions:

• 1.Employ a heavy-duty anti-corrosion coating system comprising a composite protection scheme of zinc-rich primer, epoxy intermediate coat, and polyurethane topcoat.
• 2.Utilise hot-dip galvanised structural steel components in particularly harsh environments to provide extended rust protection.
• 3.Tailor anti-corrosion strategies to specific conditions, such as increasing coating thickness in coastal zones and enhancing sealing designs in dusty areas.

II.Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Unblocking Resource Channels

1. Equipment Transportation and Installation

The transportation and hoisting of large steel structural components present another significant challenge, particularly during construction in central urban areas.

Solutions:

• Employ modular design to break down large components into transportable units.
• Utilise hydraulic synchronised lifting technology for installing large-span roof structures, thereby reducing risks associated with elevated operations.
• Develop detailed logistics plans accounting for constraints such as the rainy season and road load-bearing capacity.

III. Skills Shortages and Localisation: Building Local Capacity

1. Technical Workforce Training

The varying skill levels among local workers present a common challenge for projects in Africa. The Kenyan Taranta Sports City project employs over 3,000 local workers, necessitating solutions for training and integration.

Solutions:

• Implement systematic skills training programmes, ranging from basic welding to advanced installation techniques.
• Integrate Chinese technical personnel with local workers in mixed teams to transfer skills through practical application.

2. Management Team Localisation

Integrating international standards with local practices necessitates intermediary bridges.

Solutions:

• Cultivate local management personnel to comprehend and implement quality control systems.
• Develop clear, visualised operational manuals to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers.
• Regularly organise technical exchange sessions to facilitate experience sharing between Chinese and African engineers.

IV.Safety Management and Compliance: Maintaining the Bottom Line

The security environment for African projects is complex, requiring both management of local security risks and assurance of construction process safety.

Solutions:

• Implement a ‘bottom-line’ safety management approach to ensure ‘zero accidents’ on projects.
• Personally review construction plans for high-risk operations such as high-support formwork and hoisting to guarantee adequate safety measures.
• Integrate safety requirements into the design phase, fully considering construction safety and maintenance accessibility.

Constructing stadiums in Africa presents a challenging yet immensely rewarding endeavour. Facing multifaceted challenges encompassing environmental conditions, logistics, technology and talent, successful steel structure suppliers must demonstrate technical adaptability, managerial flexibility and long-term commitment.

Through practical validation across multiple projects, we have demonstrated that world-class sports facilities can indeed be realised on the African continent through technological innovation, local integration, and meticulous management throughout the entire process. These steel structures standing tall in African cities not only embody the sporting aspirations of local communities but also serve as enduring testaments to the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa.