A study furnishing legal and policy frameworks to encourage subcontractors in the construction industry is underway, enhancing their involvement in projects where subcontracting remains relatively uncommon.

Subcontractors of various sizes and specialisations are vital to the success and viability of the construction industry, according to Dawit Mehari, deputy director-general of the Construction Managment Institute, a federal agency that hired the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction & City Development (EiABC) to undertake the study for 2.7 million Br.

The Institute's latest undertaking is part of a series of reforms to overhaul the construction industry. Three months ago, EiABC drew a legal framework for the Construction Projects Regulatory Authority, allowing local contractors to actively participate in international bids and mega-projects implemented by the state.

EiABC is committed to completing the study and handover the results to the Institute in six months. Four months ago, the Institute had invited four public universities and three associations for consultancy services and the preparation of working systems and legal policy documents. Only Hawassa University and EiABC responded to the call.

"Preparing the legal documents will widen opportunities for subcontractors' participation in big projects," said Denamo Addissie (PhD), chair of construction materials and engineering design at EiABC.

Officials say a legal framework that ensures inclusivity for local and small-scale contractors by larger firms and foreign contractors is necessary. The construction industry contributes nearly a fifth of Ethiopia's GDP, growing by an average of 11pc annually for the past decade. Construction companies are licensed under five grades, but a handful of contractors dominate the industry. Most large-scale projects are carried out by a few grade-one contractors and foreign firms, mainly Chinese owned. A fifth of the 23,000 registered contractors handles 80pc of all building projects, and 68pc of the road projects are carried out by 12pc of construction companies.

“Subcontractors are mostly excluded from participating in such projects,” said Dawit.

Over 45,000 subcontractors have registered under 10 categories, including plastering, tiling, painting and electrical works. Grade-four and five contractors also take on work as subcontractors. Industry players say subcontractors often have unequal negotiating positions due to the lack of a legal framework that defines the relationship between construction companies and subcontractors.

“This is pushing many subcontractors out of business,” says Biniam Ayalew, general manager of Building Finishers Plc, a company that specialises in metal and plastery works.

The company has not done any subcontracting in the last two years.

Abebe Dinku (PhD), a professor of civil engineering at Addis Abeba University, observed not all subcontractors operate with permits.

"Their bargaining leverage is limited compared to prime contractors," he said.

The absence of rules often leads to disputes between contractors and subcontractors. Industry observers say the risk of payment default and termination without notice is among the problems afflicting subcontractors.

"We're still waiting for payment for a job we did three years ago," Biniam told Fortune.