The African Real Estate Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (AREEB) 2026 is set to train Nigerians with the skills required to grow in the real estate sector, as organisers position the initiative as a structured response to long-standing knowledge gaps limiting industry expansion across Africa.
The bootcamp, described as a strategic intervention, is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with practical information and industry exposure needed to build sustainable businesses and contribute to economic growth. According to the organisers, the programme will focus on delivering technical, compliance, and operational knowledge that many emerging developers currently lack.
The maiden edition of AREEB will hold in Lagos, bringing together over 22 experts from across the real estate value chain, alongside participants joining from different parts of the African continent. The organisers say the scale of participation reflects a growing demand for structured learning and mentorship within the sector.
Scheduled for May 8th to May 9th at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, the two-day programme is expected to provide both aspiring and established developers with the capacity required to operate effectively. The sessions will centre on construction standards, regulatory compliance, and business structuring, with a focus on building long-term competence rather than short-term gains.
Speaking at a press conference to announce the programme, Oluwatosin Olatujoye, Convener of AREEB, said the bootcamp is designed to shift how real estate is perceived and practised in Nigeria and across Africa. He noted that the sector must move beyond basic transactions towards becoming a driver of structured wealth creation and urban development.
“As Africa’s population continues to grow, the demand for housing and infrastructure will increase significantly. What AREEB is doing is preparing Nigerians with the knowledge and skills required to meet that demand responsibly,” he said.
Olatujoye added that the initiative is built on the belief that education and collaboration are critical to unlocking the full potential of the real estate sector. “With 22 expert speakers, we are providing a platform where investors, developers, and young entrepreneurs can collaborate to build the future of Africa intentionally, rather than by chance,” he said.
Bukola Olatujoye, chief executive officer of Zylus Home and Platinum Sponsor of the bootcamp, said one of the biggest challenges in the real estate industry is not opportunity, but limited access to mentorship and structured guidance. According to her, AREEB is positioned to address this gap by connecting participants with experienced professionals and proven systems.
“At Zylus, we believe that when people are empowered with the right information, they build stronger businesses, and when businesses grow, the economy thrives,” she said.
Peacemaker Afolabi, Chairman of the organising committee, described the bootcamp as a pan-African mission aimed at solving common development challenges across the continent. He reiterated that the programme will focus on equipping participants with practical skills and knowledge needed to execute projects correctly and sustainably.
Ezekiel Solesi highlighted the scale of opportunity within Nigeria’s real estate market, noting that the industry remains largely untapped. He disclosed that Nigeria is projected to command a N450 trillion real estate market by 2050, stressing that meeting this demand will require improved technical capacity and stronger organisational structures.
“To meet this demand, operators must build systems and teams that can deliver consistently. Real estate businesses should not depend on one individual but on processes that can be replicated,” he said.
Solesi also emphasised the importance of brand trust and data-driven decision-making. “Another important critical pillar of growth is data. Real estate players in Nigeria need to utilise market data to identify high-capacity buyers, including the diaspora. They also need a process, as this will ensure that business success is duplicable and not a one-time miracle,” he added.
Adetoun Otepola, founder of Solid Foundation Estate, urged young Nigerians entering the sector to focus on learning and skill development before financial expectations. She encouraged participants to identify specific areas within the real estate value chain where they can build expertise and credibility.
“Africa is not poor; it is simply disconnected. In a world of AI and rapid technology shifts, human connectivity and trust remain the bedrock of real estate,” she said.
With its focus on practical training, mentorship, and collaboration, AREEB 2026 is positioned to play a key role in preparing Nigerians with the skills required to grow within the real estate sector and contribute meaningfully to its long-term development.
