AFRICA
Sogea-Satom’s business activity increased substantially (13% to €0.9 billion), climbing back to its pre-crisis level as numerous projects restarted. Business was particularly brisk in Morocco, Benin and Cameroon, three countries that account for over half of the company’s revenue.
In roadworks, its longest-standing trade, Sogea-Satom was principally active in Mauritania (Nouakchott–Rosso road, 120 km), Benin (Dassa–Parakou segment; Route des Pêches) and Cameroon (a 106 km section of Route Provinciale 18). The company, which is also very active in water works (civil engineering, networks and equipment), commissioned a series of facilities designed to expand and secure drinking water supplies in the Greater Kampala area, in Uganda, and began construction, in synergy with the Major Projects Division, of a water treatment plant supplied by freshwater reserves from Aghien lagoon, south-east of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Other key projects included, in the building sector, construction of the new Yamoussoukro stadium (20,000 seats) in Côte d’Ivoire, the country that will host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, and refurbishment of the Tazi Palace Hotel in Tangiers, Morocco, with VINCI Energies; in the civil engineering sector, projects included construction of the second Womey bridge, north of Cotonou, in Benin.
VINCI CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK
At the end of 2021, VINCI Construction’s order book stood at €33.4 billion, close to its highest level ever. It includes a larger proportion of orders revolving around its core business than in 2020, when it was awarded an exceptional volume of major contracts. The balance between large operations tapping into VINCI Construction’s substantial production and project management capabilities and smaller projects generated by its local business units will strengthen its resilience. In these circumstances, it is expected to continue to see high business volumes in 2022.
VINCI Construction will remain selective, focusing principally on further improving its earnings. Its new integrated organisation and increased synergies between its entities will enhance value creation on projects and help to optimise operational performance.
In the near as well as the more distant future, VINCI Construction will benefit from buoyant trends in all its markets, driven by growing demand for construction, renovation and transformation of buildings, living environments and infrastructure. It will address the major challenges surrounding the environmental transition by speeding up rollout of its products, services and solutions that optimise energy efficiency and carbon footprints in the structures it builds, while pushing ahead with its efforts to reduce its direct footprint.