The authors report that quantity surveying education in Africa has come of age and is comparable with quantity surveying education anywhere else in the world. 

However, to sustain professionalism in the face of the rapid technological changes and the differing needs of clients, quantity surveying education in Africa must be dynamic to quickly respond to changes in the built environment. 

Quantity Surveying is practised in many African countries as a profession along the same lines as in the United Kingdom. The professionalisation of Quantity Surveying in Africa began with the establishment of a standard of qualifications and professional bodies to oversee that members conduct their affairs strictly according to established procedures and an agreed code of conduct.

In many African countries where Quantity Surveying is practised, the profession began either with the advent of  Europeans in those countries or the return to those countries by citizens who trained, qualified and practised as quantity surveyors in the United Kingdom. 

For example, the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) were both founded in 1969 by returning professionals who saw the need to establish a regulatory body similar to the Royal Institution of Surveyors (RICS). 

One of the earliest of the Quantity Surveying associations established in Africa is the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) in 1908.

Since the origin of quantity surveying in 17^th century (Pheng and Ming, 1997), the profession continued to evolve as projects grew in complexity and size.  The traditional roles:

1. providing estimates during the initial stages of construction procurement;
   
2. preparing Bills of Quantities from architectural, engineering and other specialist drawings;
   
3. describing the material, workmanship and the quantities required;
   
4. analysing tenders and recommending contractors to the client;
   
5. preparing and analysing cost data; and
   
6. performing contract administration duties including evaluating contractor's work for interim payments to contractors, assessing variations and claims and settling contract accounts - have broadened.