Home to about one billion people, Africa is the second largest continent in the world. This large land mass comprises of 54 countries. About 15 percent of the world population lives in Africa, this constitutes about 20 percent of the total land area.
Africa with its vast land and plenty of mineral resources is failing to meet accommodation challenges.
Shelter is a basic human right as such many African governments are fighting hard to overcome housing shortage. This gives a window of opportunity for an investor who so wish to invest in housing. According to research African cities will have to accommodate more than 300 million new residents by 2030.
To address the challenges posed by the unprecedented rates of urbanization, African national and local governments and their international development partners, working with the Private sector and with the poor themselves, must create the political will; make essential policy reforms; significantly upgrade human and institutional capacity; and mobilize a quantum increase in financial resources for urban areas for housing and essential urban services.
In view of the above Africa Property Investment Week which will be held in South Africa from the 25th-26th August 2015, presents a great opportunity for high profile people in the following categories; Government, corporate pension funds, private equity firms ,entrepreneurs, real estate project and asset managers, industry professionals – architects, construction firms, quantity surveyors, property management and development service providers, analysts in Africa, direct investors in African real estates, general Africa equity analysts, African-related asset managers, other related African market enthusiasts – investors, politicians, economists and media attorneys, conveyances and notaries, banks and other financial institutions and large commercial tenants a valuable opportunity to interact with the best real estate minds in the business.
They will enjoy a range of topics including economic overviews, global perceptions on African investment, key property drivers, in-depth country analysis, financing, legal and infrastructure issues and future Africa real estate trends. Africa property investment week will furthermore give delegates grand networking opportunities with industry players from all regions of the continent with abundant Smart Networking sessions which aim to connect you with the best minds in Africa.
The premier industry event will be graced by high flying speakers exciting line up of speakers and panel discussion with participants actively doing deals across the continent. Notably, Amelia Beattie, Head of STANLIB Direct Property Investments, Kenneth Kaniu, Chief Investment Officer: East Africa ,STANLIB Kenya Malcolm Horne, Group CEO, Broll Property Group, Apurva Sanghi, Lead Economist, Program Leader,The World Bank, Gerhard Zeelie, Head Real Estate finance, Rest of Africa, Neville Mandimika, Macroeconomic Equity Strategist, Atria Africa, Wicus Badenhorst, Head of Real Estate Finance, South and Central Africa, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, KushilMaharaj,Managingdirector,G5Properties,VuyoMafrika,Global Markets Corporate Structured Sales, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking to name but a few.
The API Summit has proven to be one of the leading events for discussion and networking around property investments and development in Africa. Over the past few years the forum has seen rapid growth in delegate attendance.
By Josiah Dimbo in Harare, Zimbabwe
