…as 8th edition holds December

By Kingsley Adegboye

The organisers of the Africa Housing Awards have reaffirmed their commitment to merit, integrity and measurable achievements as preparations intensify for the eighth edition scheduled for December 10, 2026, at Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Backed by the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), the awards will recognise individuals, organisations, institutions and governments making significant contributions to housing, real estate, construction and related industries across Africa.

The organisers said nominations are open to professional associations, government institutions, corporate organisations and members of the public.

They stressed that recognition would be based on genuine achievements, innovation, professional integrity and demonstrable contributions to the development of the continent’s housing sector.

“Africa Housing Awards is not for sale. Recognition must be earned through genuine achievement, not purchased through financial influence or personal connections,” the organisers said.

They added that protecting the credibility of the awards was essential to sustaining public confidence and preserving the value of the recognition for recipients and the wider industry.

With housing demand rising across Africa amid mounting pressure from construction costs, infrastructure deficits and household income constraints, the organisers said the awards would highlight individuals and institutions delivering practical solutions to the sector’s challenges.

According to them, the platform’s focus extends beyond commercial success to initiatives that improve access to housing, strengthen professional standards, protect consumers and contribute to better communities.

HDAN provides the institutional backing for the awards, aligning the initiative with its broader advocacy for affordable housing, responsible industry practices and public-sector accountability.

The organisation’s advocacy covers housing affordability, mortgage accessibility, rising rents, infrastructure provision, land administration, building material costs and the disparity between household incomes and housing prices.

Through stakeholder engagement, research, media campaigns and dialogue with public institutions, financial organisations, professional bodies and private-sector operators, HDAN promotes housing as a critical development priority.

The awards recognise contributions across the housing value chain, including real estate developers, construction companies, mortgage banks, housing finance institutions, building materials manufacturers, architects, engineers, estate surveyors, technology innovators and infrastructure providers.

Other areas of focus include affordable and social housing, sustainable construction, green building technologies and innovations aimed at improving access to decent accommodation.

The organisers said housing excellence should not be measured solely by the size, appearance or commercial value of a development, but also by construction quality, reliable delivery, professional competence, accessible financing, environmental responsibility and benefits to residents.

They also highlighted the role of governments, housing ministers, policymakers and public institutions in shaping housing outcomes through land administration, infrastructure provision, mortgage access, development approvals and investment policies.

The organisers maintained that public-sector recognition should be based on evidence of implementation and results rather than policy announcements or ambitious targets.

Such achievements, they said, could include completed housing projects, expanded access to affordable finance, effective social housing programmes, improved land administration, infrastructure delivery and reforms that reduce barriers to investment.

The awards also seeks to promote credibility in an industry where public confidence can be affected by concerns about project delivery, consumer protection, professional conduct and transparency.

The organisers said the value of an award depended on the achievements recognised, the integrity of its evaluation and the confidence stakeholders placed in the institution presenting it.

They added that popularity, publicity and personal relationships should not replace evidence of performance, noting that credible recognition could encourage ethical leadership, innovation, quality service and accountability across the housing sector.

Beyond celebrating achievements, the awards aims to encourage healthy competition and the adoption of successful practices across the industry.

The organisers said recognising developers delivering quality and affordable homes, mortgage institutions reaching underserved households and operators promoting sustainable construction could inspire others to improve their performance.

The initiative also seeks to preserve the contributions of earlier generations of housing leaders through the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame, introduced by HDAN in 2021.

Among the personalities associated with the initiative are the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, whose mass housing programmes remain an important reference point in Nigeria’s housing history, and the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President of Nigeria.

The platform also highlights the contributions of the late Professor Akin Mabogunje to housing, urban development, land policy and planning.

According to the organisers, documenting the achievements of these pioneers would help younger professionals appreciate the relationship between leadership, public service and lasting social impact.

Although hosted in Nigeria, the Africa Housing Awards has a continental focus, reflecting common challenges across African countries, including housing affordability, rapid urbanisation, infrastructure shortages and limited access to housing finance.

The initiative seeks to recognise practical solutions developed by governments, businesses and professionals while encouraging knowledge-sharing and cooperation across national boundaries.

The December 10 ceremony is expected to attract housing industry leaders, developers, construction executives, mortgage banking professionals, policymakers, government representatives, investors and innovators from across Africa.

The event will also provide opportunities for professional engagement and discussions on industry progress and emerging housing opportunities.

As preparations continue, the organisers urged prospective nominators to submit candidates whose records demonstrate performance, leadership, innovation and measurable impact.

They reiterated that maintaining consistent evaluation standards would be essential to ensuring that the awards remain credible and meaningful.

For HDAN, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to promote responsible practices, encourage innovation and recognise contributions towards addressing Africa’s housing challenges.