As Africa’s real estate landscape gears up for renewed focus, the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has launched a bold drive to attract billions in local and foreign investments ahead of its 2025 edition.
Scheduled for July 27 to August 1, 2025, in Abuja, the 19th edition of AIHS is positioning itself as the continent’s premier investment platform for housing, construction, and urban development.
Coordinator of AIHS and executive director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Festus Adebayo, said the event will serve as a powerful convergence point for developers, investors, government agencies, financial institutions, and policymakers from around the world.
“We are inviting serious investors from within and outside Africa to explore the vast potential in the real estate and construction sector. With housing contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and urban population expanding rapidly, now is the time to build the right partnerships,” Adebayo said.
Nigeria’s real estate sector contributed 5.2 per cent to GDP in 2024, with a housing deficit exceeding 22 million units. Similar gaps in countries like Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Liberia highlight the urgency—and opportunity—for major investment.
AIHS 2025 is expected to attract over 40,000 participants from more than 26 countries, with 400+ exhibitors showcasing innovations in housing technology, finance models, construction materials, and urban planning.
Themed “Reimagining Housing Challenges into Opportunities: Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Policy,” the show will also feature high-level sessions on Diaspora Housing, Affordable Housing Finance, Climate-Resilient Development, Women in Real Estate, and Public-Private Partnerships.
Delegations from multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, IFC, and Shelter Afrique will join ministers, real estate executives, and policymakers to shape investment strategies and reforms.
A key highlight will be the Best of AIHS Awards, celebrating innovation and excellence in Africa’s built environment. The event is supported by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development under Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, and will host a special investment forum on large-scale, affordable, and mixed-use developments.
“Africa cannot continue to import all its building solutions. This is the time to promote local content, attract Foreign Direct Investment, and bridge the infrastructure gap with action. AIHS is providing the platform,” Adebayo said.
With investor interest rising from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, AIHS 2025 is expected to drive multi-million-dollar conversations around land reform, housing finance, and sustainable urban development.