The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has firmly established itself as a global brand, leading change and addressing Africa’s housing challenges through international collaborations and innovative strategies. From its humble beginnings eighteen years ago, AIHS has grown into the continent’s premier housing and construction event, with a consistent vision that has birthed impactful platforms such as the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) and Africa’s first dedicated housing television channel, Housing TV Africa.
Since its inception, AIHS has transformed from a regional initiative into a globally recognized event, drawing thousands of participants from around the world. Festus Adebayo, the visionary leader behind AIHS, has maintained a relentless focus on advocacy for affordable and resilient housing, resulting in the creation of HDAN, a powerful advocacy platform that champions the rights to decent shelter for all Africans. Additionally, the establishment of Africa’s first housing television channel, Housing TV Africa, has provided a dynamic medium for raising awareness and fostering discussions on critical housing issues.
AIHS’s impact is profound, having facilitated over 200 billion Naira in business transactions for exhibitors and directly helping more than 20,000 homeless individuals secure shelter over its 18-year history. The event has become synonymous with success in the housing sector, offering a comprehensive platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and the sealing of significant housing deals.
At the heart of AIHS’s success is its commitment to addressing the pressing housing needs in Africa by leveraging international partnerships. In 2024, the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) marked a historic milestone with the participation of 25 delegates from the UK Department of Trade and Investment, Nigeria’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development under the leadership of Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, Representative of the President of Liberia, and delegates from 26 countries, including Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Egypt, Zimbabwe, UAE, Turkey, China, USA, UK, Germany, Canada, and South Africa. The event further cemented its status as Africa’s largest housing and construction event, fostering international collaborations and driving investment into the real estate sector.
In a call for expansion, Shelter Afrique has requested that AIHS be held in other African countries, reflecting the growing influence and reach of the show across the continent. This remarkable event offers access to several innovations, including over 400 exhibitors and 40,000+ attendees, making it a prime destination for industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders. AIHS also features unique forums such as Africa’s one-of-a-kind Real Estate CEOs Forum and the AIHS U40 & Young Professional Meet-up, designed to nurture the next generation of housing and construction ambassadors, and a range of B2B meetings and networking opportunities.
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Many key resolutions from the global event have been implemented in most African countries, notably the most recent one emphasizing the need for the government to address the long-standing issue of inconsistent housing deficit figures, which has been executed by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, who inaugurated a Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data. The committee is tasked with developing a blueprint for transparent and accessible housing data, critical for informed policymaking and strategic planning. Dangiwa also announced that the country will establish a National Housing Data Center within six months.
The exhibition halls have showcased the best and most innovative products and services, while platforms like the Proptech & Startup, Artisan Development Platform, International Conference on Alternative Funding for Housing, and the New Products Pavilion provide opportunities for professional growth and industry advancements. It has also featured international exhibitors showcasing a range of housing and construction products, including affordable mortgages, building materials, home interior decorations, furniture, roofing sheets, tiles, mixing and interlocking machines, paints, and other innovations in the global industry. International contractors, investors, developers, and mortgage banks have participated, creating an atmosphere of excellence, innovation, and creativity, with competitive bargains available for buyers.
AIHS’s digital expansion through the Housing TV Africa mobile app has further enhanced its global reach. This platform offers participants a seamless experience, providing access to events, housing news from all over the world, connecting them with speakers, partners, and exhibitors, and facilitating deal rooms and B2B meetings with banks, government officials, and international financial organizations.
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Several editions of AIHS were a monumental success, featuring over 30 speakers from 15 countries, including renowned figures like Jonathan Malagon, former Minister of Housing, City, and Territory of Colombia; Dr. Marja C. Hoek-Smit, Director of the International Housing Finance Program at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and Mr. Andrew S. Nevin, Partner and Chief Economist at PWC Nigeria; Bertine Kamphuis, World Bank Lead Team Nigeria; Lew Schulman, Chairman of iBUILD Global Incorporated, USA; Mrs. Abdel Hamid, Chairman of the Mortgage Finance Fund, Egypt; Kecia Rust, Executive Director and founder of the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF); Olivia Nielsen, Associate Principal at Miyamoto International, USA; and Ian Shapiro, CEO of Reall UK, among others.
The event also hosted top-level representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Edge, World Bank, among others. Foreign ministers of works and housing from countries like Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa have participated, alongside international diplomats and high commissioners, aiming to adapt resolutions from the show to advance housing and construction initiatives in their respective nations.
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High-level sessions, such as the CEOs Forum, Housing Finance Conference, and Stakeholders Panels, have played a significant role in establishing realistic goals for housing development. AIHS has also provided ample opportunities for networking, home ownership, professional development, and policy advancements within the housing sector. The Best of AIHS Awards recognize excellence within the sector, adding to the event’s prestige.
AIHS continues to be a beacon of hope and progress in the housing industry, driving change and innovation on a global scale.
Join Africa’s largest housing and construction expo today! For more information, visit www.africahousingshow.com
