Abuja: Ms Flora Anne, the Founder of the Africa Women in Housing and Construction Conference (AWHC), has called for targeted policies and stronger support to enable women to play a more influential role in the construction sector.
Anne told journalists on Sunday, in her message on International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, that the move would enable women to 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 throughout the housing value chain.
“The housing and construction sector is a key economic driver capable of transforming lives, creating jobs, and building generational wealth, making it essential for women to benefit from its opportunities.”
“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 also be active leaders, developers, investors, and decision-makers, shaping the future of cities.
Anne therefore identified several strategic priorities 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 in moving from participation to asset ownership, property development, and real estate investment.
She added that 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 foster mentorship, collaboration, and professional visibility are essential to supporting 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 edition of the conference and business expo will be held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on March 16 and 17.
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 urged women across the continent to take on leadership, entrepreneurial, and investment roles in the built environment, emphasising that their active engagement is essential to driving meaningful change.
“The cities of tomorrow are being built today. African women must step forward, claim decision-making roles, participate in financing projects, and design the future. Now is the time to ensure women are shaping every aspect of Africa’s built environment.”
