Construction webinar series builds a stronger ecosystem

PUM and the Tanzania United Contractors and Allied Services Association (TUCASA) have launched a series of online seminars for TUCASA members, following the MoU signed earlier this year. The sessions focus on strengthening management capabilities and introducing effective, practical work methods in the construction sector. The first webinar, held on 17 July, delivered a dynamic and engaging learning experience, with knowledge exchanged and skills reinforced.

Tanzania’s construction sector is a critical engine for the country’s economic development, driven by major infrastructure projects, including roads, ports, and housing. Yet alongside these opportunities lie several persistent challenges: delayed government payments, limited technical capacity among smaller firms, and inefficiencies in procurement and project execution.

Tanzania United Contractors and Allied Services Association (TUCASA), based in Dar es Salaam, brings together a wide range of contractors and allied service providers, including manufacturers and suppliers of construction materials and equipment. As a national trade association, TUCASA offers a collective platform to promote best practices, encourage collaboration, and address the industry’s evolving needs. Its vision includes engaging with both national and international partners to foster quality standards, promote technology transfer, and create platforms for joint ventures, consortia, and exhibitions.

Strategic partnership

In April 2025, TUCASA and PUM entered a five-year strategic partnership through a formal Memorandum of Understanding. The collaboration is designed to strengthen Tanzania’s construction ecosystem by delivering expert knowledge through remote engagement. The focus areas include improving efficiency and quality, optimising resource use, and reducing project delivery costs, thereby supporting sustainable infrastructure development.

Building skills through a series of seminars

In response to growing pressures in a dynamic construction environment, TUCASA and PUM are rolling out a series of targeted online seminars. These sessions address not only technical matters but also essential management topics such as project planning, contract administration, and financial oversight. Facilitated remotely by PUM experts, the seminars offer practical insights and also an opportunity to connect and learn from fellow TUCASA members.

PUM’s Construction Sector Manager Rinald van der Wal, in collaboration with TUCASA, is coordinating the programme. Topics covered in the series include: project preparation; cost control during execution; risk management; cost calculation and tendering; sustainable construction’; investment proposals for expensive equipment;  and business development, marketing and acquisition.

Reaching more professionals through remote learning

The first webinar on Project Preparation took place on 17 July, facilitated remotely by PUM experts Rinald van der Wal and  Jan Willem Smit. The session focused on:

• Converting a tender budget into a working budget.
• Creating a construction schedule.
• Developing a preparation schedule.
• Forecasting costs and cash flow using the project schedule.

Targeted at project managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, and financial staff involved in the planning and execution of construction projects, the session attracted 25 participants. A dedicated meeting room at the TUCASA office was equipped for group participation. The session included interactive discussions and hands-on exercises, resulting in an engaging and effective learning environment. A very promising start to the webinar series, which will continue in 2025 and beyond.