Our stand (85) —
The 2023 Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) compelled a strong presence of housing elites, professionals, stakeholders, would-be investors and aspiring developers, young CEOs, top government functionaries across Africa, reaffirming its leading role as the top housing and construction expo in the continent.
With an outstanding display of discussions from panelists, presentations by housing luminaries, experts in real estate development, exhibitors, the show, tagged “Beyond Rhetoric To Homes; Making Housing Happen”, attracted housing and construction enthusiasts that impacted minds and left legacies in the hearts of many.
The 2023 Africa International Housing Show provided an exceptional platform to connect with industry stakeholders and potential customers, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the housing and construction industry.
During the four-day event held from July 23rd to 27th, real estate companies, construction firms, building materials producers, insurance companies and others, delightedly exhibited their diverse range of products to interested or potential clients who had first hand view of the products exhibited.
Something sparks up in me anytime I come here
At the event, one of the Chief Executives of the exhibitors at the show, commended the ‘global’ perspective the AIHS has commanded, describing it as one of the best things that have happened to Africa and has attracted people all over the world “to discuss ideas and ways to move the built industry forward”.
He said it’s a good platform that brings people together. “Something sparks up in me anytime I come here because, when you hear different professionals speak on this platform, you learn a lot from them”, he said.
A utiliser of all value chain
The Head, Corporate Promotions Unit (CPU), SOW Real Estate Nigeria Limited, called the event utilizer of all the value chain and key players in the housing sector.
He described the AIHS as a housing tradefair in the African continent that brings players in the housing industry together, including developers and producers of both local and foreign building materials, cutting across all accessories that are needed for housing, and even financing companies.
“The AIHS has been able to harness all the value chain and key players in the housing sector, to bring them into a store, interface and network, putting heads together towards solving the housing deficit in the country”, he said.
A grooming path for young CEOs
Managing Director of McDream Concept Limited, a real estate company, saw the show from a different unusual but, excellent angle. He described it as a platform that prepares the next generation of real estate developers, preparing the minds of students, young CEOs who are on the path of real estate practice, hoping to make successful careers out of it.
“Kudos to the organisers of the show, this year’s edition was execellent. The sessions were very thoughtful, especially with the way they were organised”, he said.
Critical role of data must not be ignored
Accuracy in statistics creates room for improved planning and gives a defined lead on what resources to utilise.
This was also a talking point at the show, with various speakers expressing their views on the importance of accuracy in data management in the housing industry.
Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Madu Hamman alluded to this by concurring that its (data) critical role played in the planning and execution of policies for national development, particularly in the housing sector cannot be ignored.
Mr. Hamman highlighted the significance of reliable data in making informed decisions for housing development and said the lack of empirical investigation behind much of the data available within the housing system in the country, renders it untrustworthy.
Housing woes are worsened by lack of records
Managing Director of Pan African housing financier, Shelter Afrique, Thierno-Habib Hann attributed the cause of Nigeria’s housing deficit to lack of investment data to guide policy making.
Mr Hann said the country’s housing woes are worsened by its land tenure system and land registries and lack of records.
He added that the problem is compounded with low disposable incomes, development risks and ‘diseconomies of scale’, ’bank appetite to the sector’ and ‘short tenors’.
While revealing that the Nigerian housing industry is engrossed with lack of foreclosure laws, he said the lack of effective data to guide investments and policy making, will continue to hinder growth in the sector.
Impossible to mobilise investors in housing with no accurate data
Kecia Rust of the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance In Africa (CAHF) spoke of the logical and accountable importance of housing data.
She believes her assertion can be proved right with the projected Nigerian housing deficit coming up with different figures from various publications that have no basic trace.
She said it is impossible to mobilise investors if they can’t be told of how their money will be used or what will happen with their money? She also said the accuracy of what will happen to investments can’t be predicted when there is no data. “We have to understand the pulse and movement of the housing sector”, she said.
- A utiliser of all value chain
- A grooming path for young CEOs
- Critical role of data must not be ignored
- Houisng woes are worsened by lack of records
- Impossible to mobilise investors in housing with no accurate data
In consonance with the above itemised and the theme of the 2023 AIHS, the Nigerian government are encouraged to look into the above as they are some of the key issues discussed at the show, so that when the next edition comes up in 2024, it would be new developments that will be addressed.
