Accra: 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.
According to Ghana Web, 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. The executives emphasized that African countries must understand their unique needs and develop solutions suited to their local environments, instead of merely copying foreign systems, as approaches that work in Europe or North America may not always be effective in Africa.
The CEOs pointed out that the continent’s developing infrastructure presents an opportunity to create new and innovative FM systems tailored to Africa’s needs. They added that innovation extends beyond machines and technology, noting that training, skills development, and new ways of working can drive the growth of the industry. The conference, which focuses on technology and the future of facilities management, underscored 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 recognizing facilities management as a strategic business function rather than simply an operational or support service. Effective FM, they argued, can improve productivity, reduce operational costs, enhance workplace safety, and help organizations make better use of their assets.
The rapid urbanization in Africa and the growing demand for commercial, industrial, healthcare, and residential infrastructure were noted as significant opportunities for the FM industry. However, the CEOs 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, stressing that technology must be adapted to local realities and not adopted merely for its own sake.
The CEOs 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 asserted that 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.