Highlighting the significant improvements made across Africa’s real estate investment landscape in the past 12 months, this year’s API Summit & Expo will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss how changes in technology, leadership, and skill in African property can build a smarter future for African real estate.
Kfir Rusin, Managing Director for API Events, says: “This year’s summit offers an unmissable opportunity for Africa’s most influential property stakeholders to connect with each other and discuss issues around optimal sizing and restoring global confidence, while also unpacking innovations in building, identifying new funding, and fostering better market transparency.”
The main sponsor for the event is leading commercial property services company Broll, who bring with them a vast amount of experience from across the continent as a multi-disciplined property service provider operating within the retail, office, industrial and residential sectors.
Looking at trends that are building a smarter future for African property, Leonard Michau, Head of Broll’s Africa Operations, comments: “Investors and developers are starting to adjust their investment strategy, adopting a more educated, informed approach, while also reducing the number of speculative developments.”
Gold Sponsors for the event include Grit - the largest and only pan-African real estate income group listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Mauritius - and Standard Bank, which has an on-the-ground presence in 20 countries across the continent and provides development funding in all areas of the real estate sector.
Zoning in on key factors influencing the future of African property, Standard Bank’s Gerhard Zeelie, Head of Real Estate Finance for Africa, reveals: “We are seeing growing consumerism in Africa, with increased use of mobile and the internet providing increased access to information and digital choice. The retail market for example is rapidly evolving and responding to changed consumer behaviour. Extreme traffic congestion means that people buy the basics at their local markets during the week, waiting for the weekend to travel to a destination mall that mixes both retail, health, wellness and leisure to deliver a fun experience for the whole family. This traffic driven behaviour in different cities and nodes is impacting the way people work (including travel to work) as well as shop and entertain themselves.”
In addition, Bronwyn Corbett, Chief Executive Officer of Grit reports: “The most significant factor contributing to a smarter future for Africa real estate is a change in perception around Africa in general and Africa real estate specifically. The sector is by and large still in its infancy on the continent, however, it has grown exponentially over the last couple of years. In 2018, foreign direct investment, political stability and infrastructure improvements have all been catalysts for creating more depth in Africa’s real estate markets, and the world is slowly figuring out the opportunities present on the continent. Real estate has a big role to play in tapping into these opportunities.”
With eight years of success behind them, the 2018 API Summit & Expo is hosted by the well-established API Events and will include participation from almost 30 countries, over 600 delegates and 270 companies, providing infinite networking opportunities and a wide range of key discussions.
Michau notes:“Broll is proud to sponsor what is recognised as the leading real estate seminar within sub-Saharan Africa. The API Summit & Expo is well organised, providing a range of high-quality content, speakers, and panellists.”
Corbett of Grit adds: “The API conference provides one of the few platforms available to Africa Real Estate sector participants. The structure of the conference allows for interactive participation and knowledge sharing through panel discussions but also – and maybe more importantly – great networking opportunities.”
Zeelie points out:“Our ability to connect our clients to opportunities is strengthened by strong relationships with governments, regulators, key industry players and investors in all the countries in which Standard Bank has a presence. The API Summit & Expo achieves impressive high-level participation from attendees across the continent while providing an important platform for delegates to showcase the trends and themes driving opportunity in real estate.”
With the backing of these top African real estate game-changers, as well as ABSA, Profica, Africa Logistics Properties, and JLL among its key industry sponsors, it is no surprise that the conference attracts the foremost leaders and influencers from across the continent.
Rusin concludes:“Designed by property professionals to provide insight, debate, deal-making, and networking opportunities, the API Summit will also feature a dedicated exhibition area, training workshops and in-depth case studies. The powerful combination of the Summit and the Expo makes this the ultimate African real estate event.”
