South Africa, represented by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), was, on March 5, officially inaugurated into the presidency of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) from 2025 to 2026.  

The event was held at Boipuso Hall in Gaborone, Botswana, and attended by representatives from the government of Botswana including its Transport and Infrastructure and Water and Human Settlement Ministers and assistant Ministers, as well the presidents and representatives of African engineering regulatory bodies and delegates representing the profession from across Africa. 

ECSA says the presidency marks a milestone for the country and engineering fraternity in Africa as it envisions a future where engineering is used to achieve sustainable development and improve the quality of life in Africa. 

ECSA’s sixth term council president Refilwe Buthelezi will take on the role of the seventh FAEO president. ECSA says her appointment solidifies South Africa’s continued leadership within the FAEO and reaffirms ECSA’s commitment to fostering excellence in engineering across the continent. 

“Our journey as the FAEO has not been without challenges – policy misalignment, disparities in accreditation, and infrastructure and financing gaps. But through innovation, strategic partnerships and unwavering commitment, we turned these obstacles into stepping stones for progress,” says outgoing FAEO president Papias Dedeki.

“A key lesson I leave you with, is this:  Africa’s engineering solutions must be homegrown, yet globally competitive. Initiatives such as Multidisciplinary Coalition of Professionals, Collaborative Engineering, Innovation Bandboxes as well as Engineering Accreditation Framework, I believe will shape Africa’s engineering future,” he says.

“As I pass the baton to the new president, I do so with confidence and optimism. I have no doubt that under her leadership, the FAEO will continue to soar to greater heights,” he continued.

“Today, I stand before you with immense gratitude, yet a deep awareness of the responsibility entrusted to me as I lead the Federation of African Engineering Organisations into its next chapter,” says Buthelezi.

 “I have always sought to create impactful change – particularly in the areas of water, infrastructure development and management, power and energy solutions, and capacity building for young engineering professionals and women in the field. Standing before you today, I do so with great humility and a clear sense of purpose: to champion engineering as the driving force behind Africa’s sustainable development.

“This moment is not a personal achievement; it is the culmination of years of dedication and the collective efforts of all who have come before me,” she adds.

ECSA says Buthelezi’s role as FAEO president underscores the progress made in transforming what is a traditionally male-dominated profession, advances gender diversity and serves as inspiration for future generations of female engineering practitioners coming through the pipeline.  

The FAEO presidency rotates among member countries every two years, with member countries serving for a total of six years, as president-elect for two years, president for two years, and  immediate past president for another two years. 

The FAEO is a key continental body dedicated to uniting Africa’s engineering organisations to address critical challenges in infrastructure, water and sanitation, energy, and Information and communication technology.

The federation represents over 500 000 engineering professionals across Africa.