Imraan Akhalwaya

From building Lego cities as a child in Lenasia to leading infrastructure projects in Africa, Imraan Akhalwaya’s journey has been driven by a passion for engineering that has a lasting, positive effect. As principal associate and discipline lead for pavement engineering at WSP, a global engineering and professional services firm, Imraan, 32, oversees complex projects such as highways, rail, ports and mining logistics. His work combines technical innovation with future-ready design, ensuring infrastructure is smarter, more sustainable and built to last. He is completing a master’s in pavement engineering, with research focused on sustainable, performance-based technologies for the sector. A finalist for the Big 5 Construct Impact Rising Star Award, Imraan’s career reflects technical excellence and a dedication to advancing the profession. He is a committee member for the South African Institution of Civil Engineering Transport Division and mentors young engineers. Imraan also supports the TechnoGirl programme, providing mentorship and real-world exposure to high school girls from disadvantaged communities.

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.Sc Eng), University of the Witwatersrand.
• Bachelor of Engineering Honours (B.Eng Hons) in Transportation Engineering, University of Pretoria.
• Master of Engineering (M.Eng) in Pavement Engineering – in progress, research focus on sustainable and performance-based pavement technologies.

• Appointed as discipline lead for pavement engineering at WSP, a role that reflects years of consistent technical delivery, mentorship and strategic contribution across Africa. I have had the opportunity to lead complex pavement designs in mining, rail, ports, highways and industrial infrastructure, often working in technically demanding and resource-constrained environments. These experiences have deepened my ability to apply sound engineering principles with contextual sensitivity and innovation.
• Being shortlisted for the Big 5 Construct Impact Rising Star Award affirmed the value of not only delivering high-quality projects but also contributing to thought leadership and the advancement of our profession. Through it all, I have learned that technical excellence, adaptability and collaboration are key to creating a lasting impact.

I have been fortunate to have several mentors and role models who have shaped my journey, both within the engineering profession and beyond. At a personal level, I deeply admire some of the senior pavement engineers I have worked with, individuals like Dr Chris Rust and Kyle Nesbitt, whose technical ingenuity and quiet leadership left a lasting mark on South African pavement engineering. Their ability to innovate with limited resources, challenge conventional thinking and mentor young professionals set a standard I strive to follow. On a broader level, I look up to visionary leaders like Elon Musk — not just for his technological breakthroughs, but for his boldness in tackling complex, global challenges with a relentless belief in what is possible.