AIHS To Honour 100 Housing Champions

The organisers of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) have announced plans to honour 100 outstanding African Housing Champions at the AIHS @20 Gala Night and Awards Ceremony, scheduled for 18 July 2026 in Abuja.

The awards ceremony forms part of activities marking the 20th anniversary edition of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS @20 – Legacy Edition), described as Africa’s largest housing and construction event.

According to the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of AIHS, Festus Adebayo, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP,the awards are designed to celebrate individuals, institutions, organisations, governments, development partners and private sector leaders who have made significant contributions to housing development, urban transformation, infrastructure delivery, housing finance, policy reforms, innovation and sustainable development across Africa over the last two decades.

Adebayo said the event is expected to attract presidents, ministers responsible for housing, lands, infrastructure, and urban development; members of parliament; mayors; development finance institutions; chief executives of housing and construction companies; mortgage institutions; investors; developers; and other stakeholders from across the continent.

“The AIHS @20 Gala Night and Awards is not just a celebration of excellence; it is a celebration of the individuals and institutions that have helped shape the housing and urban development landscape across Africa.

For twenty years, AIHS has served as a platform for promoting housing solutions, investment opportunities, innovation, partnerships and policy reforms, and it is fitting that we recognise those who have contributed immensely to this journey,” he said.

The organisers said award recipients would be selected from several categories, including African heads of state and government leaders supporting housing development, housing ministers and public sector leaders, housing finance institutions and development finance institutions, real estate developers and construction companies, mortgage institutions and housing cooperatives, urban development and infrastructure agencies, housing innovators and technology companies, women in housing and construction, young housing professionals and emerging leaders, international development partners, as well as long-standing AIHS partners and supporters.

They noted that the gala night would also provide a networking platform for policymakers, investors, decision-makers, and industry leaders to strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities to advance affordable housing and sustainable urban development across Africa.

The 20th anniversary edition of AIHS, scheduled to take place from 13 July to 18 July 2026, is expected to attract more than 40,000 participants, over 400 exhibitors, and delegates from more than 25 countries.

With the theme “Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa,” the event will feature ministerial sessions, the Housing CEOs Forum, the African Mayors and City Leaders Roundtable, the Women in Housing and Construction Conference, investment forums, technical sessions, country pavilions, exhibitions, and business networking events.

Adebayo described the awards ceremony as one of the major highlights of AIHS @20, saying it would celebrate Africa’s housing success stories and inspire greater commitment towards addressing the continent’s housing deficit.

“The future of Africa’s housing sector will depend on visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, innovative financing, and bold investments.

Through these awards, we intend to celebrate excellence and encourage more stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the development of sustainable and affordable housing across Africa,” he said.