Africa’s leading infrastructure recognition platform, Africa Road Builders – Trophée Babacar Ndiaye, has named Mamadi Doumbouya as the laureate of the Super Prize Grand Builder – Babacar Ndiaye Trophy 2026, in recognition of his leadership and major investments in road and transport development.
The decision was reached on April 17, 2026, during the 2026 Inaugural Conference held in Abidjan, where members of the Selection Committee met to assess infrastructure progress across the continent under the theme “Investing in roads, investing in transport: for prosperity in Africa.”
The committee reviewed extensive data, including the 2026 report by the Media Network for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa, alongside other public sector performance reports.
Doumbouya’s recognition is closely linked to the ambitious Simandou Vision 2040, described as one of the largest logistical transformation programmes ever undertaken in Africa.
The initiative aims to significantly expand Guinea’s transport network while supporting long-term economic growth.
The Selection Committee highlighted his focus on integrated and sustainable development, noting that his administration has prioritized large-scale infrastructure projects designed to unlock national and regional connectivity.
The award will be formally presented on May 27, 2026, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, during the final conference held alongside the annual meetings of the African Development Bank.
Alongside the top honour, several institutions across West Africa were recognised with the Builder Trophy 2026 for their contributions to road infrastructure and transport management.
These include Guinea’s Road Maintenance Fund, Liberia’s National Road Fund, and Côte d’Ivoire’s key agencies such as AGEROUTE, the Abidjan Urban Mobility Project (PMUA), the Road Transport Regulatory Authority (ARTI), and the National Bureau of Technical Studies and Development (BNETD). All awardees are expected to receive their trophies at the Brazzaville ceremony.
The committee also paid tribute to João Lourenço, the 2025 laureate and patron of the 2026 edition, acknowledging his continued support through Angola’s representation at the conference.
Appreciation was extended to Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership for hosting the event, as well as to the United Arab Emirates for its ongoing support despite changes in venue due to regional circumstances.
In a broader reflection, the organisers honoured the legacy of Babacar Ndiaye, whose vision inspired the establishment of the award, while reaffirming their partnership with the African Development Bank and its leadership in advancing infrastructure development across the continent.
