Local and foreign investors have been urged to seize opportunities in Nigeria’s real estate sector, which is contributing significantly to economic diversification and boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Executive Director of the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), Festus Adebayo, said the call became imperative in light of recent industry data showing that Nigeria’s real estate sector contributed 5.2% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, underscoring its critical role in driving economic growth.
In a statement over the weekend, he noted that with Nigeria’s housing deficit exceeding 22 million units—and similar shortfalls in countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Liberia, HDAN is compelled to make the bold call for investors to explore the vast opportunities within the sector with the the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS)
According to him, the AIHS is being organised by HDAN to highlight the sector’s vast potential and showcase untapped opportunities in Nigeria and across the African continent.
He said the 19th edition of the show, tagged Africa’s biggest platform for housing, construction, and urban development and scheduled to take place from July 27th to August 1st, 2025 in Abuja aims to position the continent’s real estate market as a viable investment destination amid increasing demand for affordable housing, infrastructure growth, and policy reforms across Africa.
Adebayo, who is also the Coordinator of AIHS, noted that the 2025 edition of the event, will serve as a powerful convergence point for investors, developers, government agencies, financial institutions, and policy leaders from across the globe.
Emphasising that real estate remains one of the most resilient and scalable sectors on the continent, he said, “We are inviting serious investors from within and outside Africa to explore the vast potential in the real estate and construction sector.
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“With housing contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and urban population expanding rapidly, now is the time to build the right partnerships.”
Themed ‘Reimagining Housing Challenges into Opportunities: Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Policy’, the event will feature over 400 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge housing and construction products, innovative building technologies, mortgage and finance strategies and locally sourced construction materials.
The event is expected to attract more than 40,000 participants from over 26 countries, creating a truly global platform for dialogue and collaboration, while over five African Ministers of Housing have so far confirmed their participation.
It will also feature dedicated sessions on key issues such as Diaspora Housing, Affordable Housing Finance, Climate-Resilient Development, Women in Real Estate and Public-Private Partnerships, including high-level engagements with delegations from ministries, multilateral organizations including Shelter Afrique, the World Bank, and IFC as well as top-tier property developers and investors from across Africa, Dubai, India and beyond.
Supported by the Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa-led Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the show will also host a special investment forum focusing on unlocking funding for large-scale residential, affordable, and mixed-use developments across the continent.
“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.
“With rising investor interest from the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, AIHS 2025 is expected to drive multi-million-dollar conversations on real estate development, funding structures, land reform, and sustainable construction”, Adebayo added.