By Fred Ojiegbe
The Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has introduced the Under-40 professionals’ meetup, tagged “New Generation of Affordable Housing leaders” in this year’s event in Abuja.
Festus Adebayo, the Event Organizer, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, stated that one of the innovations for 2023 AIHS is themed “Beyond Rhetorics to Homes: Making Housing Happen.” He also said “there was a need to produce the new generation of affordable housing leaders.”
Adebayo maintained that the event was established to promote development in the African housing industry by bringing leading stakeholders across various countries in Africa and beyond to exchange ideas, share latest trends and knowledge, as well as network and interact on ways to solve the affordable housing problem in Africa.
According to him, the event is open to professionals and investors in the real estate and construction industry.
His words: “AIHS is the meeting point for leading housing chief executive officers, credible developers, who have carved a niche for themselves, producers, manufacturers, and marketers of building materials in Africa.
“It is a one-stop platform, where you can solve all your housing and construction problems. It is the umbrella where professionals interact without rivalry. Everyone is given equal opportunities to showcase their capacities and achievements.”
Adebayo also said that AIHS is also in partnership with organisations such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Family Homes Fund, Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC), Cosgrove, Brains & Hammers, Modern Shelter and Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria, among others.
“This year’s edition will feature over 21 countries and 32 guest speakers drawn from various leading housing and financial sectors,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has concluded plans to hold a masterclass on affordable housing at the forthcoming Abuja International Housing Show.
Confirming Unilag’s participation at the show, Adebayo said that the masterclass aimed at providing academic support for practitioners in the housing sector, and will be offered by the Unilag Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, with emphasis on Research for Affordable Housing Policy and Delivery in Africa.
“This session targets affordable housing developers. It will provide a platform for exploring findings from academic research that can support practitioners on housing projects and policy directions required to support implementation,” he said.
He also noted that there would be a panel discussion by seasoned practising researchers on affordable housing. Adebayo said various approaches would be presented, with ample time for interactions at solving specific issues raised by participants. Participants in the masterclass will receive certificates at the end of the programme.