African Real Estate Leaders Explore Investment and Housing Finance at GIDI Conference

African real estate leaders have called for stronger institutions, effective policies and improved financing structures to address investment challenges in the continent’s housing sector.

The call was made at the fourth GIDI Intra-Africa Real Estate Conference (GIDI IARC 4.0), held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on November 2 and 3, 2026, under the theme, “Building Africa: Bridging the Funding Gap in African Real Estate.”

The conference brought together real estate professionals, investors, developers and financial experts to examine the challenges preventing Africa’s housing demand from translating into sustainable investment and accessible housing finance.

During the first panel session, titled “Mapping Africa’s Real Estate Funding Gap and Mobilising Capital for African Real Estate,” participants discussed ways to attract investment into the continent’s property market.

The session featured Tobi Akerele, Chief Executive Officer of The GIDI Company Limited; Dr Nero Ughwujabo; Dr Roland Igbinoba; Dr Tarek Madany; and Dr Summy Smart Francis. It was moderated by GIDI’s Chief Operating Officer, Ayorinde Ejioye.

In his presentation, Akerele highlighted the need for real estate professionals to take on a broader role beyond property sales by helping connect developers with investors and financially qualified buyers.

He explained that realtors could contribute to capital mobilisation by identifying genuine housing demand, facilitating partnerships and promoting transparency in property transactions.

Ejioye also emphasised the importance of strong corporate governance, reliable financial records, effective risk management, technology and professional expertise in making real estate businesses attractive to long-term investors.

Managing Director of Pinecone Strategy Limited, Dr Nero Ughwujabo, discussed the relationship between government policies, social inclusion and investment opportunities.

He stressed that governments and developers must create credible investment opportunities through predictable policies, clear risk-sharing arrangements and appropriate project structures.

He also highlighted the importance of affordable housing, community participation and cross-border partnerships in ensuring that real estate investments deliver both commercial and social benefits.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Global Appraisal Tech and Adjunct Professor at the American University in Cairo, Dr Tarek Madany, identified professional property valuation and reliable market information as important factors in improving investor confidence.

He explained that transparent market data, credible valuations and internationally recognised professional standards could help investors assess risks more accurately.

The second panel session, titled “Building Stronger Housing Finance Markets,” focused on financing arrangements and institutional support needed to improve homeownership across African markets.

Participants included Joy Coker, Chief Executive Officer of AXP Africa, and Hala Ghazi El-Helaly, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Egypt’s Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund, who represented the fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr May Abdel Hamid.

Discussions covered alternative financing models, mortgage-market development, housing affordability and the need for stronger partnerships among governments, developers, lenders and investors.

Coker highlighted the potential of institutional investment, private credit, housing funds and blended finance as alternative sources of funding for real estate development. She also stressed the need for safeguards to protect investors and support sustainable financing.

The conference also featured a practical financing workshop organised in collaboration with the Onsi Sawiris School of Business Executive Education at the American University in Cairo.

Facilitated by Madany, the workshop examined development cash flows, financing structures and investment decisions using a residential development case study.

The session demonstrated how a housing project could be profitable but still experience funding shortages during construction due to cash flow challenges.

Another feature of the conference was the Africa Real Estate Deal Room, which provided a platform for presenting property investment opportunities to prospective investors and strategic partners.

The organisers said the conference was part of efforts to strengthen professional relationships, encourage investment partnerships and promote collaboration across Africa’s real estate markets.

They maintained that addressing the continent’s housing financing challenges would require investment-ready businesses, transparent financial information, supportive government policies and financial institutions capable of connecting available capital with viable development projects.