By Kingsley Adegboye

The Africa Housing Awards 2025 has announced Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, as the winner of the Africa Housing Finance Minister of the Year 2025 Award. This prestigious award recognizes impactful change makers in the Africa housing industry at the end of every year

The Africa Housing Awards which is regarded as the most prestigious, respected, and highly sought-after honour in Africa’s housing and built-environment ecosystem is awarded annually at the end of the year after a thorough evaluation of the performance and impact of leaders and institutions driving housing development, according to a statement by the organizers and promoters.

The statement further noted that the Minister of Finance played a central and directive role in the establishment of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF). Contributions of the Minister of Finance (Mr. Wale Edun) include: Strategic Direction and Championing, Policy Formulation and Implementation Oversight, Anchor Investor Role, Mobilizing Private Sector Participation and Public Launch and Advocacy. In essence, the Minister’s leadership was instrumental in conceptualizing, approving, funding, and launching MREIF as a sustainable solution to Nigeria’s significant housing deficit.

These are reasons given amongst many other good deeds of Wale Ebun by Festus Adebayo, in a statement in Abuja on Monday. Minister Edun’s exceptional leadership and commitment to driving growth and development in Africa’s housing sector earned him this recognition, Adebayo said.

“The Africa Housing Awards is a celebration of excellence, where we recognize those who have done exceedingly well and encourage others to strive for greatness,” said Adebayo, Executive Director, Housing Development Advocacy Network.

This recognition is based on your remarkable contribution to housing finance reform, including initiating and supporting the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), ensuring its listing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), and providing strong financial support for the Renewed Hope Housing Programme across the country.

Wale Ebun’s leadership has significantly improved investor confidence, strengthened the financial framework of the housing sector, and accelerated delivery of affordable housing nationwide.

The Africa Housing Awards ceremony will hold on December 12th, at Fraser Suites, Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together stakeholders from across Africa to appraise performance, recognize excellence, and encourage continued growth in the housing and construction sector.