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<\/p>\nPHOTO: LAGOS HOMS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Demand for investment in African real estate<\/a> is expected to reach a fever pitch in 2018, and beyond, as the continent\u2019s markets turn to growth after years of trying trading conditions.<\/p>\n The prediction, Africa\u2019s leading provider of real estate development and investment conferences, API Events said, followed macroeconomic indicators released recently by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pointing to a surge in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 5per cent across 18 economies in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\n Reinforced by the World Bank\u2019s 2018 Economic Outlook predicting overall growth of 3.2 per cent, the firm said, demands for investment opportunities especially in the real estate sector are increasing.<\/p>\n \u201cFollowing successful year in which we launched new conferences in challenging economic conditions. We will continue to set the agenda for the property industry as we enter what many property experts are calling the \u2018second scramble for Africa\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cCritical to its success was the impact of its theme: \u201cChanging the West Africa Narrative\u201d, which challenged speakers, panelists and delegates to unpack factors that will rekindle investment back into the region\u201d, API Events stated.<\/p>\n According to the firm, \u201cIt becomes apparent that Africa\u2019s sleeping \u2018lion economies\u2019 are waking up with Ghana predicted to grow at 8.9per cent, Cote d\u2019Ivoire 7per cent and Senegal around 7 plus per cent.<\/p>\n \u201cKenya and Mozambique are also predicted to grow substantially with the former completing its election cycle and the latter\u2019s debt issues being resolved by the proactive leadership of its new president and the much-anticipated LNG Gas project now back online\u201d.<\/p>\n In line with these growth trajectories, API Events\u2019 leadership team aims to expand its distinctive portfolio of events for learning, discussion, and, most importantly, deal-making to these surging economies by delivering events focused on each of their unique opportunities and challenges.<\/p>\n API Events\u2019 managing director, Kfir Rusin, said the firm \u2028in 2018, will continue to provide value to sponsors and delegates needs as it underscores the importance of real estate to economic growth and prosperity to African Government stakeholders under the theme of \u2018Making Real Estate Matter\u2019.<\/p>\n The increasing receptiveness of Africa\u2019s policymakers to engage on topics such as unlocking pension fund capital; creating linkages between the public and private sectors and inter-country cooperation, he said, will ensure that its conferences will continue to provide the most valuable and actionable insights into Africa\u2019s burgeoning real estate markets in 2018, and in the future.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2017, API Event provided valuable insight and actionable intelligence for our delegates and sponsors at the regional and national conferences, which were held in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia.<\/p>\n \u201cOur flagship continent-wide focused API Summit in Johannesburg also continues to grow from strength to strength, and we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2018 for the property industry,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Speaking on its final event of 2017, the West African Property Investment (WAPI) Summit, held in Lagos, Rusin said the decision to relocate to Nigeria, the continent\u2019s largest and arguably most complex economy, was met with approval by delegates and sponsors alike.<\/p>\n Critical to its success was the impact of its theme: \u201cChanging the West Africa Narrative\u201d, which challenged speakers, panelists and delegates to unpack factors that will rekindle investment back into the region.<\/p>\n For Rusin, what differentiates API Events from its competitors is that it is an events company filled with property professionals who believe that real estate investment<\/a> can provide solutions to some of the continent\u2019s perennially vexing challenges of inequality, poor infrastructure and social stability.\n<\/p>\n Guardian <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"