Announcement of the Winners of the Other Awards
His Excellency Mr. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, is designated Winner of the Super Prize Great Builder – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy 2025 Dubai – United Arab Emirates, April 25, 2025. The members of the Selection Committee of The Africa Road Builders – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy met today at the Movenpick Downtown Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to decide the winners for 2025.
This year, the central theme of the deliberations was: “Transport in Africa: Services and Development.”
During this annual meeting, the Selection Committee carefully assessed transport achievements and projects across the continent, based on the 2025 report of the Media Network for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA), as well as public reports from international institutions and organizations concerning roads and transport in Africa.
After deliberations, the Committee decided as follows:
His Excellency Mr. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, is declared the winner of the Super Prize Great Builder – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy 2025.
His Excellency Mr. João Lourenço was selected for his personal leadership. The Selection Committee also notes that Angola has, in recent years, undertaken a major transformation of its transport infrastructure, aimed at strengthening its strategic position in Southern and Central Africa and diversifying its economy. The Committee particularly highlighted the following key assets and major projects.
The Lobito Corridor: a strategic regional railway axis, a flagship project including a 1,700 km railway line.
The new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport, inaugurated in November 2023. This new airport aims to position Angola as a regional air hub.
Improvement of road infrastructure: between 2018 and 2022, Angola paved nearly 2,000 km of roads and rehabilitated more than 2,000 km.
Luanda Light Rail: a project planning the construction of a 60 km network to improve mobility in the Angolan capital.
All these projects and achievements have immediate impacts, notably the creation of numerous services, including the use of new information and communication technologies.
The Selection Committee congratulates His Excellency Mr. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, and invites him to receive his trophy on May 28, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during the Final Conference to be held on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Special Prizes:
The Selection Committee is honored to recognize the following high-ranking personalities.
H.E. Alassane OUATTARA, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, for his remarkable work in road infrastructure development.
Dr. Akinwumi ADESINA, President of the African Development Bank Group, for making roads and transport a top priority during his two terms at the helm of the Bank.
Builders’ Trophy:
The Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 2025 laureates as follows:
Ministry of Transport of Egypt, Egypt
AGEROUTE Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Moonlight Company, Egypt REMEDES Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire
Diakité Holding, Côte d’Ivoire General Directorate of Road Infrastructure of Côte d’Ivoire, Côte d’Ivoire Al SAADAA GROUP, Egypt Kpandji Automobile, Côte d’Ivoire
La Congolaise des Routes (LCR), Republic of Congo
Think Tank RDC Stratatégie, République Démocratique du Congo
All these laureates are also invited to receive their trophies during the Final Conference on May 28, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Selection Committee extends its gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Winner of the 2024 Super Prize Great Builder – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy.
The Committee especially thanks His Excellency for granting his High Patronage to the 2025 edition of The Africa Road Builders – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy and for agreeing to host in September 2025 the Summit of Great Builders, bringing together all Heads of State who have won the Babacar NDIAYE Trophy since the first edition.
The Selection Committee expresses its deep gratitude to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and the highest authorities of the country for their hospitality and commitment to construction efforts.
The Committee thanks all participants and sponsors of this 10th edition.
The Selection Committee pays tribute to Dr. Babacar NDIAYE, the inspiration behind The Africa Road Builders – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy, and thanks the Babacar NDIAYE family for their contribution.
Finally, the Committee thanks the African Development Bank and its President, Dr. Akinwumi ADESINA, for the sponsorship and all the support provided. On behalf of the Selection Committee
Ms. Reham NABIL
Journalist (Egypt), Spokesperson
