Dublin, Ireland, September 8, 2025
News Summary
A major market study forecasts significant expansion in the global construction market, driven by housing, commercial development and infrastructure, with sustainability and advanced technologies accelerating change. Africa’s data‑centre construction is identified as a faster‑growing niche due to cloud demand and AI workloads. The specialist insurance sector is consolidating after an acquisition of a Dublin and Galway underwriting business focused on construction risks. A partial collapse of a derelict Dublin terrace with large unpaid levies highlights safety, fiscal and planning challenges posed by long‑term vacancy. Together the trends point to growth, innovation and evolving risk management needs.
Global construction market set for steady rise; data-center and specialist insurance moves spotlight shifting industry priorities
Key developments: a major market report values the global construction sector at USD 13.4 trillion in 2025 and projects growth to USD 20.6 trillion by 2033 at a 5.51% CAGR. Separate analysis of African data‑center construction points to a faster expansion, and a specialist insurance acquisition in Ireland signals consolidation in construction risk coverage. A partial collapse of a derelict Victorian terrace in Dublin has also drawn attention to unpaid site levies and the costs of leaving properties vacant.
Topline market outlook
Research published in early September 2025 outlines a broad construction market that covers housing, commercial and industrial buildings as well as large infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges and airports. The report underscores the sector’s role in employment, urbanization and overall economic development and highlights a continuing shift toward sustainable practices and advanced construction technologies.
The report frames several drivers for the projected expansion to USD 20.6 trillion by 2033: growing demand for housing and commercial space, rising public and private infrastructure spending in many regions, and ongoing investment in new construction methods. It also lists both opportunities and restraining factors, and segments the market by product type, application, end user, technology, distribution channel and geography to give a granular view of trends and competitive dynamics.
Technology and sustainability trends
Recent trends highlighted include the wider use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D printing and automated construction equipment. These digital and automated tools are framed as improving design precision, reducing material waste and enhancing collaboration across project teams, which in turn can lower costs and improve outcomes. The report also signals that green building initiatives, energy efficient designs and renewable materials are moving from voluntary best practice to baseline requirements on many projects.
Africa data‑center construction grows faster than the general market
An additional report from February 2025 focuses on the Africa data‑center construction market. That study valued the market at USD 1.26 billion in 2024 and projects growth to USD 3.06 billion by 2030, implying a 15.94% CAGR from 2024–2030. The data‑center analysis points to rising cloud investments, surging demand driven by artificial intelligence workloads, and increased adoption of renewable energy within data‑center design and operation.
Specialist insurance deal reflects consolidation in construction risk
In the specialist insurance market, an acquisition has placed a Dublin and Galway‑based underwriting business that focuses on commercial construction insurance under the umbrella of a larger specialty group. The acquired firm, founded in 2017, built a niche in construction lines such as latent defect insurance and owner‑controlled programmes and uses proprietary modelling to manage aggregation risk. The acquired business will operate under the buyer’s underwriting managers division.
Industry observers note that this move follows other regional integrations and comes after an earlier European acquisition by the same buyer that expanded its environmental and transactional liability offerings. The buyer reported a notable revenue increase in a recent quarter, reflecting growth across specialty lines.
Derelict Dublin terrace collapse highlights levy and planning issues
A terrace of five late‑19th century cottages near a city canal partially collapsed after becoming overgrown and structurally weakened. The properties had been on a local authority derelict site register since mid‑2023. The property owner is recorded as owing more than €140,000 in unpaid derelict site levies, a charge calculated at a 7% rate per annum on market value plus monthly interest at 1.25% on unpaid levies.
The derelict properties were part of a broader site sale to an international developer that has been subject to planning and redevelopment conditions. The collapse and outstanding levies underscore the financial and safety consequences of long‑term vacancy, and local elected representatives have called for stronger penalties and rezoning options to prevent sites being left unused amid housing shortages.
Implications for builders, owners and policymakers
Taken together, the reports and recent events suggest several practical takeaways: continued investment in digital and green construction can yield operational savings and lower risk; data‑center construction represents a high‑growth niche that demands specific design and energy solutions; consolidation among specialist insurers can change capacity and product availability for construction projects; and derelict or poorly managed heritage stock creates safety hazards and fiscal liabilities that can delay redevelopment.
Overall, the sector appears positioned for sustained expansion, with notable room for innovation in materials, project delivery and risk management as market participants respond to urbanization pressures and new technology demands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current value and forecast for the global construction market?
The market is valued at USD 13.4 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 20.6 trillion by 2033 with a 5.51% CAGR over the forecast period.
How fast is Africa’s data‑center construction market growing?
The Africa data‑center construction market was valued at USD 1.26 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 3.06 billion by 2030, growing at about 15.94% CAGR.
Why are specialist insurance acquisitions important for construction?
Acquisitions can expand underwriting capacity, bring niche technical expertise to new markets, and change distribution channels for construction risk products such as latent defect cover and owner‑controlled policies.
What are the main technology trends changing construction?
Key trends include BIM, 3D printing, automation in equipment and site processes, and increased use of renewable materials and energy‑efficient designs.
What happens when derelict site levies are unpaid?
Unpaid levies accrue charges based on local rules; in the cited case levies are charged at a rate of 7% per annum on market value with an additional monthly interest element. Outstanding levies can block property transactions and may prompt enforcement action.
How can project owners reduce construction risks?
Owners can adopt modern design and management tools, invest in preventive maintenance, buy appropriate insurance coverage, and engage with planning authorities early to ensure compliance and mitigate delays.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Global market value (2025) | USD 13.4 trillion |
| Projected value (2033) | USD 20.6 trillion |
| Global CAGR (2025–2033) | 5.51% |
| Africa data‑center value (2024) | USD 1.26 billion |
| Africa data‑center projection (2030) | USD 3.06 billion |
| Africa data‑center CAGR | 15.94% |
| Notable sector trends | Sustainability, BIM, 3D printing, automation, renewable energy |
| Recent sector events | Specialist insurance acquisition; derelict terrace collapse with unpaid levies |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Reuters: Ireland faces major challenges to scale up construction (Central Bank)
- Wikipedia: Construction industry
- BBC: Article
- Google Search: global construction market 2025 2033
- GlobeNewswire: Africa Data‑Center Construction Market outlook
- Encyclopedia Britannica: data center
- Insurance Business: Ryan Specialty acquires 360 Underwriting
- Google Scholar: construction insurance Ireland
- Irish Times: Construction Industry Federation site sale and dereliction levies
- Google News: derelict site levies Dublin
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