When operating in tropical climates with clay shale formations, the construction industry faces obstacles. Due to changes in moisture content, tropical clay shale has unique geotechnical characteristics such as high plasticity, limited permeability, and vulnerability to cycles of swelling and shrinking. Furthermore, expanding clay minerals can cause ground movement, which could harm infrastructure. The cohesive structure of the soil makes excavation and earthmoving operations in tropical clay shale even more challenging, making it challenging to create solid slopes and stop erosion. Increased runoff and sedimentation at construction sites may affect project deadlines and environmental sustainability. These problems are made worse by the unpredictable nature of tropical weather, which includes high temperatures and lots of rainfall, calling for the use of adaptable building materials and techniques. The paper will conclude by highlighting several case studies that tropical clay shale presents for civil projects. A comprehensive strategy that includes environmental management and geotechnical engineering is needed to address these issues. To construct suited to tropical clay shale environment, research, and innovation in these fields are essential to understand more about the behaviour of clay shale.