By Kingsley Adegboye

Organisers of the 20th Africa International Housing Show (AIHS @20 – Legacy Edition) have unveiled a new recognition programme, the “Best of AIHS Exhibitor Awards”, as they called on exhibitors to raise the standard of participation ahead of the July 2026 event in Abuja.

The awards will be presented during the six-day housing and construction exhibition scheduled for July 13–18, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja. Organisers said the initiative is intended to reward innovation, creativity, professionalism and practical contributions to housing development across Africa.

AIHS Chief Executive Officer Festus Adebayo said the exhibition floor should be seen as more than a marketplace for products and services.

“Every exhibitor coming to AIHS should come prepared not only to showcase products and services but also to compete for continental recognition,” Adebayo said. “We want visitors to experience the very best Africa has to offer in housing, construction, finance, technology and urban development.”

To oversee the awards, the organising committee said it has constituted a multidisciplinary assessment panel made up of professionals from the housing, construction, finance, architecture, engineering, real estate, academia, media and investment sectors.

Rather than relying on a single presentation, the panel will evaluate exhibitors throughout the six-day event. Areas to be assessed include innovation, contribution to affordable housing, product quality, stand design, customer engagement, sustainability, technology adoption, investment potential and overall professionalism.

Organisers added that feedback from visitors, investors, government officials and other stakeholders would form part of the assessment process.

The competition will feature a range of categories, including Best of AIHS 2026 – Overall Excellence Award, as well as awards for affordable housing solutions, mortgage and housing finance initiatives, green building solutions, smart-home and digital innovation, proptech, building materials, construction technology, exhibition design, customer experience and emerging housing brands.

Adebayo said the awards are intended to establish a benchmark for quality and innovation in the African housing sector.

“The goal is to encourage exhibitors to invest in world-class presentations, interactive demonstrations and practical solutions that respond to Africa’s housing needs, especially for low-income and informal workers,” he said.

AIHS expects more than 40,000 participants, over 400 exhibitors and delegates from more than 25 countries to attend the anniversary edition of the event.

The organisers urged companies, government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and technology firms to begin preparations early.

“The Best of AIHS Awards are designed to become one of Africa’s most respected recognitions in the housing and construction industry,” the organisers said. “The focus is not only on building structures, but on shaping the future of affordable housing and sustainable cities.”

The 2026 edition of AIHS is themed “Housing Solutions for Low Income and Informal Workers in Africa”.