Preparations are in top gear for the 19th edition of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), with organisers intensifying efforts to attract both local and international investors to Africa’s rapidly growing real estate and construction markets.
The event, billed as the continent’s largest housing and urban development expo, is scheduled to take place from July 27 to August 1, 2025, in Abuja
With the theme “Reimagining Housing Challenges into Opportunities: Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Policy”, AIHS 2025 seeks to position Africa’s housing and construction sector as a viable and resilient investment frontier amid rising demand for affordable housing and increasing urbanisation across the continent.
Speaking on the upcoming event, Barrister Festus Adebayo, Coordinator of AIHS and Executive Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), said in Abuja that the show will serve as a convergence point for global investors, developers, policymakers, and financial institutions.
“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 the urban population expanding rapidly, now is the time to build the right partnerships.
“According to industry figures, Nigeria’s real estate sector accounted for 5.2 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2024, underscoring its importance to economic development.
“The nation also faces a housing deficit of over 22 million units, a trend mirrored in other African countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Liberia.
“AIHS 2025 is expected to host over 40,000 participants from more than 26 countries, with more than 400 exhibitors showcasing innovative building technologies, locally sourced construction materials, housing finance solutions, and mortgage strategies.
“Key highlights of the event include specialised sessions on affordable housing finance, diaspora housing, climate-resilient development, women in real estate, and public-private partnerships. Delegations from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, IFC, Shelter Afrique, and several African ministers of housing have confirmed participation.
“A special Investment Forum aimed at unlocking funding for large-scale residential and mixed-use developments will be featured, alongside the Best of AIHS Awards, which will recognise innovation and excellence within the built environment.
“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, under the leadership of Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, is backing this,” Adebayo said.
