COPENHAGEN: Africa is fast becoming a key market for Denmark companies in the construction industry a boom in private investment has resulted in fees on the continent being up to 30 percent higher than in Europe.
African business now accounts for 25 percent of turnover for the Danish multidisciplinary consultancy Niras, and Carsten Toft Boesen.
Development in Africa has moved in three phases: from pure grants, over to lending aid, and then today, where in some countries there are purely commercial projects that drive a growing demand in Africa.
Mikael Krøll, the head of the architectural firm Mikael Krøll Arkitekter said that, for his company, co-operating with foreign investors was key to getting a solid position in Sierra Leone and Ghana.
He further said building projects in these countries are typically run by foreign developers that need specialists who have both local knowledge and international skills.
He added if you can show your ability to work with the local authorities, you can be a valuable business partner for investors.