Leading bridge and engineering services specialist joins the International Trade Secretary to encourage UK business growth in Africa

Mabey has announced that Michael Treacy, CEO of Mabey Bridge, will be attending a trade mission to Ethiopia and Uganda with Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade on 8-11^th November.

The visit forms part of the Department for International Trade (DIT) mission to help British businesses unlock the economic potential a booming Africa presents, particularly in the wake of Brexit. Michael Treacy will be one of twelve delegates attending, as Mabey looks to work with the Government in recognising and embracing future business opportunities across African countries.

Mabey has supplied over 500km of steel bridging to over 142 countries. As part of this global export, Mabey has spent over 50 years developing critical infrastructure in Africa to help connect neighbouring communities, bring fresh market opportunities, and improve access to local healthcare and education facilities. For example, in 2016, Mabey helped upgrade South Sudan’s Juba bridge – the only crossing over the White Nile river and a crucial transportation link between South Sudan and Uganda.

Mabey is joining the visit to explore the ways in which it can make a difference to Africa’s construction industry, particularly given the strength of its engineering expertise. In Uganda, the company sees significant opportunities across the whole portfolio, from rural and emergency bridging programmes, through to infrastructure opportunities in inner cities with pedestrian bridging and inner-city flyovers.In Ethiopia there are also opportunities with pedestrian bridges and flyovers.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “We are breaking down the barriers to trade to help African countries achieve their development ambitions.

“Investments by British companies, such as Mabey, play a significant role in the development of urban infrastructure in Africa, which will make it easier for local businesses to trade, opening up markets and creating economic growth.”

Michael Treacy, CEO, Mabey Bridge concludes: “We have seen first-hand the social and economic benefits of developing critical transport infrastructure in Africa, and feel extremely privileged to be joining the Government on such an important visit. This trade mission is key to understanding the challenges and, more importantly, the opportunities UK exporters face, particularly as the UK Government looks to join up its aid and business support to compete with other countries. There is immense potential for growth across African countries - it’s an exciting time.”

Mabey’s work in Africa also focuses on the employment of local people for its bridging projects, helping to transfer the technical and creative skills associated with construction. For example, after the initial development of the Tsomo Bridge in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the local installation team used the knowledge and expertise it gained from working with Mabey to build an additional bridge in Bengu safely and efficiently in just six days. This demonstrates the ways in which these programmes can empower the local community to take a more active role in the economic development of their region.

To learn more about Mabey’s visit to Africa, follow @MabeyBridge and @TradegovUK.