Business

AIHS: Experts, exhibitors, others converge to tackle housing challenges

NO fewer than 300 experts, firms and 402 exhibitors from 25 countries across the globe will converging on Abuja this month to provide practical and innovative solutions to affordable housing challenges in Nigeria.

The forum is expected to provide opportunity for the experts, including all stakeholders comprising government’s officials, policy makers, eggheads of real estate firms, mortgage companies, insurance firms, financial providers, multi-lateral, building materials’ manufacturers and tech experts to network on way forward for housing development in Nigeria.

Speaking about the forum, the Chief Executive Officer, Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), Mr Festus Adebayo, confirmed that not less than 15 countries are expected to participate in this year’s event.

He explained that the show tagged “Beyond Rhetoric To Homes; Making Housing Happen’, was geared towards bringing innovation and practicalities into the African housing industry.

Dangote Group, Lafarge, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Family Home Fund Limited (FHFL), Royal and CDK top list of 402 exhibitors for AIHS 2023.

Justifying the essence of the event, Adebayo said it was coming at a time when a new government has just emerged in Nigeria.

This, he said, made it unique, pointing out that it aligned with the pledge of President Bola Tinubu to improve housing sector in the country and attract investors.

“With the coming of the new government and the population of this great country, Nigeria is now the biggest market for real estate.

“The population is an advantage and the government of President Tinubu is packed with policies that will reposition the economy and make Nigeria the best for real estate investment,” Adebayo said.

He added that this year’s forum is about bringing creativity, innovation, practicality to bear.

He said; “We are saying no to rhetoric without manifestation and results. So, 2023 AIHS is a year of making housing happen and luckily for us, we are having it at a time Nigeria is witnessing a new government that has a new agenda to make housing happen.”

According to him, Vice-President Kashim Shetima will declare the forum open.

Adebayo, a leading Nigeria housing development promoter, also gave an insight to the world of climate change as it affects affordable housing in the continent.

“We are in a world of climate change where solutions to it are pursued, bearing in mind how it affects affordable housing.

“We are in that era when we are to talk of how to achieve green affordable housing,” he said.

He said with the level of commitment shown by partners, who are international finance institutions; the importance of the show has also grown to the recognition of the World Bank.

“This year AIHS is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on issues relating to green housing funding, edge building among others.

“Another partner in the area of green housing is REALL UK, a leading social housing funding organisationReall,” he said.

He disclosed that Shelter Afrique and IFC sessions at AIHS would provide practical answers to questions by stakeholders.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE