Renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and policy influencer Fola Adeola, Chairman of FATE Foundation and co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the 19th edition of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), taking place from July 27 to August 1, 2025, with the keynote address scheduled for the opening ceremony on Tuesday, 29th July, 2025 at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The announcement was made by Festus Adebayo, Convener of AIHS, during an exclusive interview in Abuja. He noted that Adeola’s wealth of experience in enterprise development, policy strategy, and infrastructure finance makes him a fitting figure to speak on this year’s theme: “Reimagining Housing Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Policy.”
“Fola Adeola is not only a trailblazer in Nigeria’s banking sector and social entrepreneurship; he is also a man whose policy insights and commitment to national development align with our vision for AIHS. His presence will inspire conversations on how Africa can leverage innovation, collaboration, and sound policy for sustainable housing development,” Adebayo stated.
Organised in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, AIHS 2025 is expected to bring together over 400 exhibitors, 50 high-level speakers, and delegations from more than 21 countries.
From governors and commissioners to real estate developers, investors, and multilateral partners, the show serves as the continent’s foremost platform for bridging the gap between housing needs and practical solutions.
Fola Adeola has long been a force in both the private and public sectors, from co-authoring Nigeria’s landmark Pension Reform Bill to serving on high-level committees including the National Honours Committee, the Solid Minerals Committee, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Philanthropy Council, Adeola’s contributions span banking, infrastructure, policy, and youth empowerment.
He founded FATE Foundation in 2000 with a vision to equip young Nigerians with business and leadership skills, a commitment deeply relevant to AIHS 2025’s emphasis on youth inclusion, under-40 real estate CEOs, and innovation in the property sector. His keynote address is expected to focus on reimagining ways of unlocking the housing value chain and catalyzing job creation through innovation, collaboration and policy.
The 2025 edition of AIHS will feature a robust schedule including policy dialogues with ministers from around Africa, state governors, housing commissioners, and international development agencies. Adebayo emphasized that land policy reform, affordable housing finance, and access to construction inputs are among the key issues the conference aims to tackle.
AIHS also boasts a strong lineup of sponsors and institutional partners, including Dangote Cement, MOFI, FMBN, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Bauchi State Government, Sokoto State Government, Urban Shelter, Brains & Hammers, Family Homes Funds, Lafarge, CDK Integrated Industries, Sinoma, DME Group, Brooks Africa, and several delegations from Dubai, the UK, China, Ghana, South Africa, United States, Egypt, Namibia, Rwanda, Cote d’ivoire and Italy among others. Professional bodies like REDAN, AHCN, NIA, NIOB, NIQS, NITP and many more will also be actively involved.
Further expanding its inclusiveness, the event will host a Women in Housing and Construction Forum, sessions on PropTech, and strategic linkages with free zones and manufacturing hubs to boost local production and job opportunities.
AIHS, which also operates Housing TV Africa (StarTimes Channel 149) and the Housing Development Programme on AIT, continues to serve as a powerful media and policy platform advancing dialogue on housing in Africa.
With the confirmation of Fola Adeola as keynote speaker, AIHS 2025 is poised to ignite high-level conversations and foster the partnerships needed to transform Africa’s housing future.
By Prince Folorunsho Adegoke
News Editor at Housing TV Africa.
