Simonpietro Salini, who led Italian construction firm Salini Impreglio which is now known as Webuild, has died in Rome at the age of 92, the company announced on Monday.
Salini took over the family business from his father Pietro in 1956 and expanded it internationally, leading projects across Africa in countries like Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria and Libya.
Under his leadership, Salini Impreglio undertook major infrastructure projects including dams, hydroelectric power plants, universities and other developments. In Ethiopia, some of the major projects included the Legadadi Dam, infrastructure at Addis Ababa University, the Tana Beles hydropower project and the ongoing Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Salini had scaled back his operational role in recent years but remained honorary president of Salini Costruttori and other group companies. He was also a collector of medieval Sienese art.
In a statement, Webuild praised Salini's "extraordinary vision and unwavering dedication to social responsibility" and said his entrepreneurial skills transformed the business into a major international group.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) also paid tribute, saying Ethiopia is "indebted" to Salini for his contributions to critical energy and education infrastructure projects and citing his lasting legacy in the country's development.
Salini lived in the countryside near Siena and is survived by his son Pietro Salini, current CEO of Webuild.