By: Khanyisa Nkuna - Group Manager: Infrastructure and Property Development at Airports Company South Africa

Airports in South Africa are far more than transport hubs; they are strategic economic engines that stimulate investment, unlock trade, and catalyse large-scale infrastructure development. At the same time, they serve as platforms for professional growth, skills transfer, and transformation within the built environment.

This dual role, driving both economic activity and human capital development, is at the heart of Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) infrastructure programme. Through its committed R21.7 billion capital expenditure pipeline, ACSA is not only expanding and modernising airport infrastructure but also injecting critical momentum into South Africa’s construction sector at a time when it is most needed.

This investment translates directly into demand for a wide range of scarce and critical skills, including civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering, as well as quantity surveying, architecture, and project management. It creates space for both established firms and emerging contractors to participate in complex, high-value projects that demand precision, innovation, and adherence to international aviation standards.

However, while the opportunity is significant, the reality of the South African construction sector remains deeply challenging.

The industry continues to rank among those with the highest business failure rates, reflecting persistent structural constraints. Many firms face limited access to consistent work, rising material costs, shrinking profit margins, and delayed payments that strain already tight cash flows. In addition, the sector is undermined by governance failures and criminal elements, including disruptions caused by so-called “construction mafias,” which introduce uncertainty and risk into project delivery.

These challenges highlight a critical truth: investment alone is not enough.

For infrastructure programmes like ACSA’s to deliver their full impact, they must be underpinned by strong governance, transparent procurement processes, and a firm commitment to timely payments. Equally important is the deliberate inclusion and development of emerging contractors, ensuring that participation in infrastructure projects translates into long-term sustainability rather than short-term engagement.

When these elements come together, infrastructure investment becomes a powerful stabiliser for the construction sector, one that not only creates work but builds resilience and capability across the industry.

Beyond the economic impact, ACSA’s infrastructure programme plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of built-environment professionals.

As a Black female engineer who has navigated and grown within this space, I am acutely aware of both the opportunities and the barriers that exist within the industry. Engineering and construction in South Africa, as in many parts of the world, have historically been male-dominated fields, with limited representation of women, particularly Black women, in senior technical and leadership roles.

My own career journey has been shaped by access to complex infrastructure projects, mentorship, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to developments that operate at a national scale. Airports, by their nature, are intricate ecosystems. They require multidisciplinary collaboration, technical excellence, and the ability to deliver under pressure, often within highly regulated environments.

Working within this space has not only strengthened my technical expertise but has also reinforced the importance of representation. When young women, and particularly young Black women, see themselves reflected in leadership roles within engineering and infrastructure, it shifts what they believe is possible.

This is why infrastructure programmes must also be viewed through a transformation lens.

ACSA’s projects provide a unique platform for experiential learning, offering engineers, architects, and project managers exposure to large-scale design, refurbishment, and capacity expansion initiatives. Professionals gain hands-on experience in managing multi-million-rand budgets, navigating complex procurement processes, and delivering projects that meet both local and international standards.

Beyond traditional infrastructure, the integration of commercial developments within airport precincts, such as hotels, retail spaces, fuel farms, and logistics hubs, further broadens this exposure. These developments require feasibility studies, financial modelling, and long-term planning, equipping professionals with a well-rounded skill set that extends beyond core engineering disciplines.

In this way, airports become more than sites of construction; they become centres of excellence where technical skills, leadership capabilities, and commercial acumen are developed in tandem.

The opportunity before us is clear.

If effectively implemented, ACSA’s infrastructure investment can serve as a catalyst not only for economic growth but for sector-wide transformation. It can strengthen the construction industry, support the growth of emerging contractors, and create meaningful career pathways for a new generation of professionals who will shape South Africa’s infrastructure future.