Africa’s real estate sector may be growing fast, but experts say poor planning and weak governance continue to threaten its long-term value. Despite billions poured into new developments each year, many projects are built without clear plans for occupancy, maintenance, or energy efficiency, a gap that could cost investors and residents alike.
“I have travelled globally and I can tell you that they don’t often plan for occupancy,” said Alfred Osagie, a facility manager for commercial retail properties “Most projects only have two or three years for planning and development. The major thing that determines whether it’s a good investment or not is after the development. The question is, why is it difficult to plan for those times?”
Osagie described facility managers as “life managers” and “property doctors” who must use data to anticipate problems before they occur. “It’s not enough to document what will happen but how it will happen,” he said. “If you don’t do that, you are leaving people to decide what happens and that leads to controversy.”
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Omosalewa Fajobi, chief operating officer of MISA, said governance in facility management is not about who owns a project but about building clear systems. “Governance requires transparency and disclosure,” she said. “The best option is to make things clear from the beginning. A lot of issues arise because there are hidden details. Everyone should understand what they are signing up for, and know that maintenance is the only way to keep their property appreciating.”
At the maiden Real Estate Management in Africa Conference (REMA) 2025, organised by Venco Africa in Lagos, experts and industry leaders stressed the need to plan beyond construction. The event, themed Structures Beyond Buildings, brought together policymakers, developers, facility managers and technology innovators to discuss how digital tools and good governance can strengthen urban living.
Chude Osiegbu, Venco Africa chief executive officer, said the idea behind REMA was to give operators and managers a platform to exchange ideas. “Typically, when you have real estate events, the focus is on developers and construction,” he said. “We felt that those operating and managing communities are not getting their fair hearing.”
Energy management also stood out as a key challenge. Sheriff Daramola, president of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria chapter, said energy is the biggest cost in estate operations. He urged developers to integrate renewable options like solar from the design stage.
Emad Yassin, general manager of Provast Ltd, agreed, adding that “efficiency starts with smart architecture.”