We overcame project challenges through sacrifice and resilience – Bernard

&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Bernard&comma; the entrepreneur behind engineering and construction company InfraCongo&comma; has revealed how personal sacrifice&comma; resilience and support from friends and family helped him navigate the challenges of building his business&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Bernard transformed his experience in infrastructure projects into an engineering and construction venture after identifying a shortage of skills for projects that could be executed locally&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">InfraCongo initially operated as a consulting firm before expanding into electrical&comma; mechanical and civil engineering&comma; as well as areas including geographic information systems &lpar;GIS&rpar; and software&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">The company has since evolved into an Engineering&comma; Procurement and Construction &lpar;EPC&rpar; firm&comma; taking on a broader range of infrastructure and engineering projects&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">According to Bernard&comma; his decision to enter the sector was driven by his previous experience in infrastructure development and his desire to take advantage of opportunities created by gaps in the local market&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Rather than complain about the shortage of opportunities or skills&comma; he chose to compete for available projects and build a company capable of delivering them&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">However&comma; growing InfraCongo has not been without difficulties&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Bernard said tender requirements across Africa can sometimes make it challenging for smaller African-owned companies to compete with larger and more established firms&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Project financing and delayed payments from clients have also created significant pressure on the business&comma; particularly when the company has ongoing project commitments&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">During some of the most difficult periods&comma; Bernard turned to friends and family for support&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">He said they provided interest-free private loans that enabled InfraCongo to complete projects and navigate periods when cash flow was under pressure&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Beyond financial support&comma; Bernard also made significant personal sacrifices to keep the company moving forward&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">These included working longer hours&comma; taking on additional responsibilities and going without a regular income while prioritising the growth and survival of the business&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">His entrepreneurial journey was also shaped by challenges in his education&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Bernard dropped out of university on four occasions because of difficulties balancing family responsibilities&comma; work and education&period; Despite these setbacks&comma; he eventually returned to complete his studies and obtained his second degree&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">For Bernard&comma; the experience reinforced the importance of remaining committed to a long-term vision despite setbacks&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">He said patience and resilience have been among the most important lessons from his entrepreneurial journey&comma; alongside the ability to listen carefully and understand the power of words&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">His experience with InfraCongo demonstrates how African entrepreneurs can turn gaps in local markets into business opportunities while navigating financing constraints&comma; competitive tendering processes and other structural challenges&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph">Bernard&&num;8217&semi;s story also highlights the role of personal sacrifice&comma; family support and perseverance in building an engineering company in a challenging business environment&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;&NewLine;<p class&equals;"wp-block-paragraph"><&sol;p>&NewLine;