Africa’s housing future must prioritise affordability, livability and resilience, the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has said, as stakeholders gathered in Accra for the inaugural Africa Real Estate Festival (AREF) 2026.
Speaking at the two-day event held from April 18 to 19, 2026, the Minister urged industry players to rethink real estate development beyond the construction of buildings, stressing that the sector shapes how people live, work and interact.
“Real estate is about the spaces where people live, work, and connect. It influences safety, dignity, productivity, and social cohesion, while also reflecting our cultural identity,” he said, adding that development should focus on “place, not just property.”
The festival, held under the theme “Innovation Meets Identity: Designing Africa’s Next Living Experience,” brought together regulators, diaspora investors, developers and industry leaders. It was organised by the Africa Real Estate Festival in collaboration with Nilex Properties, Goldkey Properties, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC).
Mr Adjei noted that Ghana’s private sector currently delivers nearly 90 per cent of housing, according to the Ghana Statistical Service, stressing that government alone cannot close the national housing deficit.
He therefore called on private developers to increase investment, adopt innovative construction models and align their projects with national housing priorities.
The Minister outlined several ongoing reforms aimed at transforming the housing sector, including the repositioning of the National Affordable Housing Programme to support large-scale mixed-income developments through public-private partnerships.
He also announced that the District Housing Programme is being decentralised to ensure all districts contribute to addressing the housing gap.
According to him, the Rent Act is under review to improve fairness and strengthen tenant protection, while land administration reforms with the Lands Commission are expected to improve title security and reduce delays in land acquisition.
He further disclosed plans to promote local building materials and green construction methods to reduce costs and environmental impact, alongside new housing finance solutions to expand mortgage access.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AREF, Desmond Kwesi Oteng, said Africa must take ownership of its real estate narrative, noting that key decisions about African land and luxury have often been made outside the continent.
He described the event as a shift away from “narrative outsourcing” and challenged participants to consider who is truly building Africa’s cities and communities.
The Real Estate Agency Council (REAC) used the platform to emphasise the importance of professionalism and regulation in the sector, warning that market transparency depends on strict adherence to standards.
It also reminded industry players of the ban on cash transactions under the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1027), aimed at reducing fraud and money laundering.
Industry stakeholders, including Nilex Properties and Goldkey Properties, showcased major developments and highlighted the growing capacity of African firms to deliver large-scale, modern housing projects through innovation and collaboration.
The festival also underscored the role of rent regulation and fair tenancy systems in promoting stable and sustainable urban communities.
