The organizers of Africa’s largest housing and construction event – Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS) – have announced that 85 companies have already booked their places in the show’s 14th edition slated for July.
The organisers have earlier revealed that this year’s edition will be virtual, and that the interesting elements that makes it the biggest housing stakeholders’ event on the continent will be retained.
A virtual edition became important because of the current global scourge of the novel coronavirus which has made physical distancing inevitable. Though in their 14th year, this year’s show will be the first virtual edition. However, the demand for participation in the show is still very high.
In their most recent release, the show’s organisers confirm that the 85 companies already set for participation are drawn from real estate, building technology, home interiors, mortgage banking, housing finance among others.
Among these companies include AIHS’s traditional partners and supporters, as well as new entrants.
According to their statement signed by the Show’s CEO, Festus Adebayo, the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria are the first set of professional institutions to confirm participation.
Also for maximum impact, the Nigerian Senate Committee on Housing have been announced as partners and co-organizers of the 14th AIHS. This will come as cheering news for housing sector stakeholders who constantly harp on the need for legislative involvement in the show known for advising the government about housing sector policies.
The show confirms that the speakers that had earlier been announced to speak at the show since January will also be available to speak during this virtual edition.
For participating companies and brands, the cost implication of participation in the virtual edition is lesser than the cost earlier announced for the physical edition even though the virtual edition is very likely to offer them better value.
Unlike the physical edition where participation of some global partners are hindered by travel issues, the virtual edition will be larger because more partners, local and international will be able to be at the show from wherever they are in the world.
This is even a greater opportunity for brands and companies to introduce, promote and sell their products to a bigger market, at less cost and from the comfort of their factories or offices.
The 4 day event will as usual offer unique privileges for companies and brands to interact with a niche market where they can exhibit, make sales and strike new deals and clients.
The opening ceremony on a soon to be announced date will feature participants from not less than 15 countries including USA, UK, China, Turkey, India, UAE, Morocco, South Africa, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya and many more.
As known to many, AIHS has become an all-important convergence of local and international stakeholders, speakers, and exhibitors in the housing and construction industry.
The show plays host to important dignitaries like Yemi Osinbajo, Debra Erb, Babatunde Fashola, former presidents, governors, ministers and national assembly members and numerous corporate executives. The virtual edition in July this year will not be any different, but will in fact even host more international dignitaries, as it will be easier for those who couldn’t have attended a physical edition to participate in the virtual edition.
Given that AIHS hosts over 40, 000 participants from at least 20 countries every year, the show remains the prime destination for multinational and national corporations, businesses and executives, public officials, and home seekers to converge, dialogue, network, exhibit and learn from one another about opportunities they should tap into.
The housing sector has benefitted immensely from the show as many corporations have signed ground breaking agreements at the show to provide home ownership opportunities for millions of Nigerians. Over 10, 000 homes have been built as a result of these partnerships enabled by AIHS.
As the show that offers the largest market for housing and construction companies in Africa, there are over 400 product exhibitors every year with unique and innovative solutions from over 20 countries.
The show’s policy advocacy sessions has led to the establishment of several housing sector policies including Land Geographical Information System (LGIS) in almost all states in Nigeria, as well as the establishment of state ministries of housing.
Some of the show’s notable and ever increasing partners include Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, National Assembly Committees on Housing, Echostone International, Cosgrove, American Home Builders of West Africa, AUHF, Affordable Housing Institute, Mixta Africa, Dangote cement, OPIC, Urban shelter, Brain & Hammers, Infinity Mortgage, COPEN Group, Shelter Afrique, IMF, World Bank, Royal Ceramics, AFP Furniture (Julius Berger), ABUMET, Costrimix, Wiser estates, IFC Edge building, Family Homes Funds, NMRC, FMBN, FCDA, Eximia Realty, Oct 5 real estate, Haven Homes, Alaro city, Revolution Plus, REDAN, MBAN, Platinum Mortgage, First Trust Mortgage, Association of Housing Corporation, Wallpaper World, iBuild, Hydroform International, Landmark Africa, Adrano property, Netconstruct limited, Jedo investments, Leisure court, Nedcomoaks, Window story, Modern shelters limited among other prominent partners.
Some of the show’s well anticipated and attended special sessions are ones like the CEOs Forum, Financial Conference, Not Too Young To Own a Home Session, Women in Housing Session, Alternative Finance Session etc. AIHS is indeed a one-stop event for multi-industry issues involving both government and private stakeholders, investors and esteemed participants.
The show is one that is always well covered by the media, offering more opportunity for exhibitors and speakers to be heard even outside the show, and this year will be no different.
Most importantly, according to Adebayo, AIHS remains the leading promoter of affordable housing in Africa, and looks forward to the unique experiences that will be offered participants during this year’s first virtual edition in July.
In spite of this virtual edition, the organizers are still hoping that the physical event will hold from 16th to 19th , November 2020.
The organizers say that they are strongly in support of all actions towards the safety of people. As a result, they call on all stakeholders in the housing industry to stay safe and remain compliant to all safety precautions.
