The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) marks 20 years of commitment to housing development and sustainable urban growth across the continent, with plans underway to celebrate long-standing partners whose consistent support over the years has contributed significantly to the success of the platform.
Over the past two decades, AIHS has evolved into Africa’s premier housing and construction event, serving as a strategic platform for dialogue, policy advocacy, investment promotion, innovation showcase and stakeholder engagement within the housing and built environment ecosystem.
From developers and construction companies to financial institutions, manufacturers, policy makers and international development partners, AIHS has built a strong network of collaborators who are resolute in advancing our shared vision of improving housing provision in Africa.
Mr. Festus Adebayo, Founder of the Africa International Housing Show and Executive Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), speaking on the milestone commemoration, said the 20th anniversary is a unique opportunity to recognize the loyalty, dedication and invaluable contributions of AIHS and its long-standing partners.
According to him, the growth and impact that AIHS has recorded since its inception would not have been possible without its continued engagement and strategic partnerships with key industry players in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, AIHS is not just a celebration of events, but a celebration of enduring partnerships and collective efforts to address Africa’s housing challenges. We are proud of the progress we have made and are deeply grateful to all the partners who have supported us over the years.”
As part of the activities planned for the 20th Anniversary Edition, scheduled for July, AIHS will recognize deserving organizations, organizations and individuals who have consistently supported this initiative through participation, sponsorship, collaboration and advocacy.
The assessment aims to further strengthen industry collaboration and spur new efforts towards inclusive and affordable housing solutions for low-income and informal workers across Africa.
AIHS remains committed to providing a dynamic platform that fosters partnerships, fosters innovation, and advances policy reforms that can transform the housing sector and improve access to adequate shelter for millions of Africans.
In a related development, the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in criminal activities in Nigeria’s real estate industry and called for urgent legislative and regulatory intervention to restore the integrity, transparency and public confidence in the industry.
This position was made clear during a strategic engagement with the National Assembly Housing and Urban Development Committee leadership in Abuja, where the advocacy group highlighted the growing threat posed by unregulated operators whose activities have led to widespread cases of fraud, multiple sales of properties, illegal land allocations, and proliferation of unauthorized housing developments across the country.
Speaking during the parley, the Executive Director of HDAN, Festus Adebayo, noted that the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework for real estate practices in Nigeria has created fertile ground for unscrupulous individuals and entities to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians seeking home ownership.
According to him, the increasing level of crime by some operators in the industry has rapidly eroded public confidence in real estate transactions, undermining efforts aimed at promoting housing development and investment in Nigeria.
“Due to weak regulatory and enforcement mechanisms, the real estate sector is gradually becoming a safe haven for fraud. Nigerians are being deceived every day through fake real estate listings, double allotments, unfinished housing projects, etc. We must not allow this to continue,” he said.
HDAN further emphasized that the housing sector, which is supposed to serve as a key driver of economic growth and social stability, is now at risk of system collapse unless deliberate action is taken to enforce professional standards and ensure accountability among practitioners.
The network therefore called on the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process towards establishing an effective real estate regulatory framework that will sanitize the real estate sector, protect homebuyers and investors, enforce ethical standards, promote professionalism and restore investor confidence in the Nigerian housing market.
HDAN also advocated for greater collaboration between government agencies, professional bodies and industry stakeholders to address the threat of quackery and fraud that continues to plague the real estate ecosystem.
As an organization committed to promoting access to affordable and decent housing for all Nigerians, HDAN reaffirmed its readiness to support policy reform and regulatory efforts that strengthen transparency, accountability and sustainable growth in the housing sector.
