By Angela Atabo
Ms Flora Anne, the Founder, Africa Women in Housing and Construction Conference (AWHC), has called for intentional policies and stronger support for women to play a more influential role in the construction sector.
Anne told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in her message on International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, that the move would enable women move from the margins to the mainstream of Africa’s housing economy.
She explained that women were increasingly visible across professions within the built environment including architecture, engineering, real estate, urban planning, housing finance, and construction.
She, however, said their representation in ownership, capital control, and project leadership remained significantly underrepresented.
“Empowering women in the built environment requires intentional policies, financing mechanisms, and industry collaboration that enable women to thrive across the entire housing value chain.
“The housing and construction sector remains one of the largest economic drivers capable of transforming lives, creating jobs, and building generational wealth.
“Therefore, women must be positioned to benefit fully from the opportunities within the industry.”
According to Anne, Africa is urbanising rapidly, and the demand for housing and infrastructure continues to grow.
She said that women should not only participate in the growth but they should be active leaders, developers, investors, and decision-makers shaping the future of cities.
Anne therefore, identified several strategic priorities necessary to accelerate women’s advancement in the sector.
They include increased access to development finance, property ownership and wealth creation, leadership representation, technical skills and capacity development, mentorship and industry networks.
She noted that women-led housing and construction businesses require better access to capital, mortgages, development funding, and investment partnerships to scale their impact.
She added that women should be supported to transition from participation to asset ownership, property development, and investment portfolio growth within the real estate sector.
The founder said there was a critical need for more women to occupy executive leadership positions, board seats, regulatory roles, and policy advisory positions within the housing and construction ecosystem.
Anne stressed that encouraging more women to enter technical construction fields, project management, engineering, and building technologies would strengthen Africa’s workforce and improve industry diversity.
She added that structured platforms that fostered mentorship, collaboration, and professional visibility were essential to support women’s growth and long-term influence within the sector.
She emphasised that AWHC was established to serve as a continental platform that connects, empowers, and elevates women across Africa’s built environment industry.
According to Anne, the maiden ddition of the conference and business expo will hold on March 16 and 17, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
She said the conference would bring together women leaders, policymakers, developers, financiers, and industry stakeholders under the theme: “Work, Wealth and Worth – Redefining Work, Building Wealth, and Elevating Worth in Africa’s Built Environment.”
“The conference will focus on strengthening women’s participation in housing development, construction innovation, real estate investment, housing finance, and infrastructure delivery across Africa.”
She encouraged women across the continent to step boldly into leadership, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities within the built environment.
“The cities of tomorrow are being built today. African women must be at the table where decisions are made, projects are financed, and the future is designed.”(NAN)