Affordable housing: Stakeholders urged to tackle rising construction materials costs

Stakeholders in the housing and construction industry in Nigeria and across Africa have been urged to act urgently to address rising building and construction materials costs to improve access to affordable housing.

Organisers of the annual Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), who made this call, explained that governments, developers, financial institutions, manufacturers, and sundry investors have the capacity to make a difference if they commit to it.

Festus Adebayo, the convener/CEO of AIHS, noted in a statement over the weekend that the continuous rise in the cost of cement, steel, roofing materials, infrastructure development, transportation, foreign exchange pressures, and building technologies has pushed affordable housing beyond the reach of millions of Africans.

Adebayo spoke against the backdrop of the forthcoming 20th Anniversary edition of AIHS, which is Africa’s largest housing and construction event, bringing together investors, developers, policymakers, and innovators from over 20 countries.

The event aims to tackle the continent’s housing challenges and facilitate significant real estate transactions, with over N200 billion in deals facilitated since its inception. It serves as a platform for partnerships, policy influence, and networking, promoting sustainable housing solutions and driving economic growth.

Adebayo stated the urgent need for new thinking, innovation, collaboration, and practical policy reforms capable of reducing construction costs and accelerating affordable housing delivery for low-income and informal sector workers.

He explained that the 2026 special edition, scheduled for July 13 -18, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, will focus mainly on practical solutions, innovative technologies, alternative building systems, local building materials, housing finance reforms, strategic partnerships, PropTech solutions, and modern construction systems aimed at reducing housing delivery costs across the continent.

“Africa cannot continue to discuss affordable housing while construction costs continue to rise daily. The future of affordable housing will depend largely on how serious governments, manufacturers, developers, engineers, financial institutions, innovators, and technology-driven housing companies are willing to innovate and collaborate,” he said.

Adebayo assured that AIHS @20 edition will serve as a continental platform where new ideas, technologies, PropTech innovations, investment opportunities, policy reforms, and sustainable housing models will be discussed extensively among top industry players from different countries.

He added that the housing show will continue to champion innovation in housing delivery, PropTech solutions, local building materials, industrialized building systems, smart and green housing technologies.

Others are housing finance accessibility, mortgage reforms, infrastructure partnerships, cooperative housing, climate-smart housing solutions, digital real estate systems, and innovative construction technologies.

He therefore called on leading brands, manufacturers, developers, mortgage institutions, construction companies, cooperatives, international development organisations, technology companies, and investors to join the AIHS @20 movement as the industry works collectively to reshape the future of housing delivery in Africa.

“This is not just another conference. AIHS @20 represents a strategic movement to redefine the future of housing, construction, innovation, and real estate technology in Africa. We invite all stakeholders to join the train as we collectively push for practical and sustainable housing solutions,” he stated.

He revealed that over 200 exhibitors from different countries have already registered for the landmark 20th Anniversary Edition, while several development finance institutions (DFIs) and international organisations have also confirmed support and participation in the event.

According to him, the strong international interest and growing participation demonstrate the credibility and strategic importance of AIHS as Africa’s leading housing and construction platform.

“This edition of the 20-year housing show is expected to attract over 40,000 participants, more than 400 exhibitors, and delegates from over 25 countries, including ministers, policymakers, investors, developers, manufacturers, mortgage banks, housing agencies, cooperatives, construction industry leaders, and PropTech innovators,” the CEO said.

The event, whose theme is ‘Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa,’ will feature exhibitions, conferences, CEO forums, ministerial roundtables, investment sessions, PropTech discussions, and strategic networking engagements designed to unlock housing opportunities across Africa.