By Kingsley Adegboye

The organisers of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) have announced plans to honour 100 outstanding African Housing Champions during the AIHS @20 Gala Night and Awards Ceremony scheduled to hold on Saturday, 18th July, 2026, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.

The Gala Night and Awards Ceremony forms part of activities marking the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS @20 – Legacy Edition), Africa’s largest housing and construction event.

According to the Convener and CEO of AIHS, Festus Adebayo, the awards ceremony is designed to celebrate exceptional 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 disclosed that the event is expected to attract Presidents, Ministers of Housing, Lands, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Members of Parliament, Mayors, Development Finance Institutions, CEOs of leading housing and construction companies, mortgage institutions, investors, developers, and senior stakeholders from across the African 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.”

The organisers revealed that award recipients will be drawn from various 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

• Long-standing AIHS Partners and Supporters

The Gala Night will also provide a unique networking platform for decision-makers, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities for advancing affordable housing and sustainable urban development across Africa.

The 20th Anniversary Edition of AIHS, scheduled for 13th–18th July, 2026, is expected to attract over 40,000 participants, more than 400 exhibitors, and delegates from over 25 countries.

With the theme, “Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa,” AIHS @20 will feature high-level ministerial sessions, the Housing CEOs Forum, African Mayors and City Leaders Roundtable, Women in Housing and Construction Conference, Investment Forums, Technical Sessions, Country Pavilions, Exhibitions, and Strategic Business Networking Events.

Adebayo described the Gala Night and Awards as one of the major highlights of AIHS @20, noting that it will celebrate Africa’s housing success stories while inspiring 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.”

The organisers have called on governments, institutions, private sector organisations, development partners, and housing stakeholders across the continent to participate in the landmark event and join in celebrating Africa’s housing champions.