How Technology is Transforming Africa’s Real Estate Landscape Beyond Bricks and Mortar

At the 2025 Real Estate and Management Expo (REMA) recently held in Lagos, with the theme, ‘Structures Beyond Buildings: Managing Africa’s Urban Communities’, industry leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers converged to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the future of African living spaces. From artificial intelligence–powered property management to data-driven urban planning and smart community infrastructure, technology is no longer a supporting tool but the foundation of modern real estate development. As conversations at REMA 2025 revealed, the continent’s real estate landscape is moving beyond bricks and mortar toward creating intelligent, connected environments that foster efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability. Sunday Ehigiator reports

In an era defined by digital acceleration and smart technologies, Africa’s real estate and facility management sectors are beginning to reimagine what it means to build and sustain communities. Beyond bricks and mortar, stakeholders are now focused on data, design, and digital infrastructure as the building blocks of a truly modern African city.

That message resonated powerfully at the inaugural Real Estate Management in Africa Conference (REMA) 2025, held recently in Lagos. Organised by Venco Africa, the continent’s leading digital community management platform, the event gathered industry leaders, developers, technology innovators, facility managers, and policymakers under the theme, “Structures Beyond Buildings.”

From discussions on digital transformation to cost optimisation and sustainable facility management, REMA 2025 offered one resounding message: the future of African living will be powered by technology, data, and collaboration.

A Paradigm Shift beyond Construction

Setting the tone for the conference, the Chief Executive Officer of Venco Africa, Chude Osiegbu, challenged the conventional focus of real estate conversations on physical development alone.

“Typically, when you have real estate events, the focus is on developers and construction,” Osiegbu said in his keynote.

“We felt that those operating and managing communities are not getting their fair hearing. That realisation inspired the creation of REMA; to provide a forum for operators, stakeholders, and residents to exchange ideas and learn from each other.”

He pointed to Africa’s rapid urbanisation as both a challenge and an opportunity. With cities like Lagos, Abuja, Nairobi, and Accra expanding at breakneck speed, millions of Africans are moving into centrally managed estates that demand new digital tools to ensure security, efficiency, and harmony.

“In this digital and AI era, those who manage these communities must increasingly rely on technology to make life easier,” he noted. “From internet access to smart utilities and service payments, technology is redefining how communities function.”

The Digital Future of African Communities

One of the most anticipated sessions at REMA 2025 was the panel discussion titled ‘The Digital Future of African Communities’ moderated by the President of the Nigeria PropTech Association, Dr Roland Igbinoba. The session explored how technology is transforming estate development, facility management, and resident experience across the continent.

Joining Dr Igbinoba on the panel were Chude Osiegbu (Venco Africa), Managing Director, Haven Homes Nigeria, Ufuoma Ilesanmi, Head of Technical Management, UPDC FM Ltd, Chijioke Akanno, and Board Member, Safaricom, James Wambugu, a Nairobi-based proptech expert who joined virtually.

The conversation began with an important question: What does a digitally enabled community truly mean?

For Osiegbu, the answer lies in everyday simplicity. “When we talk about digital transformation, people imagine complex systems. But digital is already part of our daily lives; Uber, Bolt, WhatsApp. In real estate, it’s about using those same principles to make communities safer, more efficient, and easier to manage.”

He described Venco’s role in this ecosystem as one that connects access control, payments, utilities, and communication into seamless systems. “We’re no longer talking about the future; it’s happening right now,” he said.

Technology as a Selling Point

Representing the developer’s perspective, Ilesanmi explained that the digital revolution has reshaped buyer expectations and investment behaviour.

“10 years ago, when we introduced smart home features, most buyers didn’t see the need. They’d ask, ‘Will Nigerians really adopt this?’” she recalled. “Today, homes with digital systems sell almost twice as fast. Buyers now demand smart access, energy monitoring, and app-based security.”

According to Ilesanmi, digitalisation is not just about convenience but accountability. “Apps like Venco or My Estate App allow residents to pay service charges, monitor power consumption, and even participate in decision-making. It has brought transparency into estate management.”

Facility Management in the Digital Age

For Akanno, technology has been a game-changer in how properties are maintained and operated.

“Before now, gate access could take several minutes, calling residents to confirm visitors. With QR code systems, access is granted in under 30 seconds,” he explained. “Power management has also been revolutionised. Digital meters eliminate billing disputes and allow residents to track consumption in real time.”

However, Akanno cautioned that digital innovation cannot exist in isolation. “We have estates with panic alarms and emergency systems, but who responds when that alarm goes off? The police infrastructure isn’t integrated. So while private tech is advancing, public systems need to catch up.”

His point struck a chord with the audience: technology alone cannot build smart cities; governance and infrastructure must evolve alongside it.

The View from East Africa

Joining remotely from Nairobi, James provided an East African perspective. “In Kenya, digital adoption in community management is growing, but integration is still limited. We rely heavily on WhatsApp and mobile money, but fully digital estate platforms are rare,” he said.

Still, optimism runs high. “Companies like Venco entering the Kenyan market are creating excitement. Kenya is ready; we just need more developers to build and scale these tools.”

Overcoming Challenges in Proptech Adoption

Osiegbu identified infrastructure and cultural adoption as two major challenges for digital transformation.

“Digital systems depend on stable internet, payments, and electricity. When any of those fail, users think it’s our fault,” he said. “We need stronger digital backbones, broadband networks, fibre optics, and reliable utilities.”

On the cultural side, he added, “Not everyone adapts at the same pace. Some residents take to apps immediately; others resist. So we focus on user-friendly design, making systems as intuitive as WhatsApp.”

ROI and the Business Case for Digital

From a business perspective, Ilesanmi noted that technology improves both operational efficiency and return on investment.

“As developers, we use platforms like Cutstruct for procurement; it saves cost and improves transparency. On the buyer’s side, digital access and automation have become premium features. People want communities that are secure and connected,” she said.

Akanno agreed, adding that digital enforcement mechanisms help sustain estates. “Some estates automatically deduct unpaid service charges when residents buy power. It’s controversial, but it ensures everyone contributes to maintenance.”

The Promise of Collaboration

All panellists agreed that collaboration between developers, facility managers, and technology startups is essential.

“We now work closely with proptech firms to integrate services, from power to billing and complaints, into a single platform,” Akanno said. “This reduces confusion and improves efficiency.”

Ilesanmi added, “Developers like us are open to partnerships with startups. The goal is to create structured, accountable communities where technology supports daily living.”

As the session drew to a close, the panellists offered their predictions for where innovation will thrive in the next few years:

On Energy, Osiegbu stressed that energy remains the largest cost and opportunity. “We need digital solutions that improve transparency and affordability in energy consumption.”

Metering & Security Integration: Ilesanmi pointed to the need for metering systems that allow remote power purchase, even from abroad, and smarter security networks.

Healthcare & Emergency Systems: Akanno envisioned a future where “a senior resident could trigger an alert that immediately notifies hospitals or security agencies.”

Summing up, Dr Igbinoba urged stakeholders to “invest in the digital backbone of African cities. Technology, data, and collaboration will define the future of community management.”

Managing Costs, Managing Communities

While one session focused on digital transformation, another tackled the critical issue of cost optimisation in property and facility management.

In a panel titled ‘Cost Management in Real Estate and Facility Management’, moderated by Duru Bond, participants explored how technology, intentional design, and renewable energy can curb rising costs.

Panellists included the President of the IFMA Nigeria Chapter, Engr. Sheriff Daramola, General Manager, Provast Ltd, Emad Yassin; Jaiz Bank Plc, Sulaimon Ijaoba; Co-founder, V AMP FI, Bukunmi Ajiboye, and Country Lead, Venco Kenya, Effie Awuor Otieno, who joined virtually.

Energy Efficiency Starts with Design

Engr. Daramola identified energy as the “single largest cost driver” in managing communities.

“To reduce costs, we must integrate renewable energy; solar, hybrid systems; from the design stage,” he said. “Retrofitting later is complex. Developers should plan renewable energy models for entire estates, like solar rooftops and shared hybrid grids.”

Yassin of Provast agreed, emphasising that cost optimisation begins with architectural design. “If a building allows more natural light and ventilation, you reduce energy consumption automatically. Efficiency starts at the drawing board,” he said.

Building for Africa’s Climate, Not Aesthetics

On his part, Ajiboye critiqued the tendency to import Western design trends that don’t suit local conditions.

“Many buildings in Nigeria are covered in glass, which traps heat and raises cooling costs,” she said. “Innovation should suit our environment. Facility management should not be about fixing; it should be about designing for longevity.”

Ajiboye also highlighted the value of Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) that provide data dashboards for procurement, energy, and maintenance. “With real-time data, you can standardise operations, scale efficiently, and make informed decisions.”

From the financial sector, Sulaimon Ijaoba shared Jaiz Bank’s internal sustainability strategy.

“We’ve conducted energy audits across our 40 branches. We now deploy solar systems to high-cost sites, centralise procurement for equipment, and consolidate vendors. With IoT systems, I can monitor inverters and generators from my phone; that’s real-time cost control,” he explained.

Contributing virtually from Nairobi, Effie Awuor Otieno of Venco Kenya illustrated how smart metering is transforming estate operations.

“At Stima Village Estate, smart water meters cut monthly utility costs by over 30 per cent,” she revealed. “When residents see real-time consumption, they change behaviour. Data creates accountability.”

Rethinking Sustainability

Panellists also underscored sustainability as a financial and moral imperative. Engr. Daramola noted that circular economy principles, reusing, repairing, and recycling, must be embedded in facility management. “Even disposal has value if managed sustainably,” he said.

Yassin added that human capital is as crucial as technology. “We invest heavily in staff training and incentives. Efficiency thrives when ground teams feel empowered to innovate.”

A Call to Build Smarter

In his closing remarks, moderator Duru Bond distilled the message of the session: “The goal is not just to build structures but to create sustainable systems around them. Africa’s urban future must be smart, data-driven, and people-focused.”

That sentiment echoed throughout the conference halls at REMA 2025. From Lagos to Nairobi, Accra to Port Harcourt, Africa’s real estate managers are waking up to a new reality, where communities are not just built but managed intelligently, powered by data, and designed for people.

The discussions at REMA 2025 made one thing clear: digital transformation in community management is no longer optional; it’s inevitable.

Yet, for this future to be realised, experts agree that collaboration is key. Developers, governments, telecoms, fintechs, and facility managers must align their goals to build interoperable systems that make urban life more efficient and equitable.

As Chude Osiegbu put it in his final remarks: “There’s no introduction of new technology without friction, but the potential to make life more seamless in our communities is enormous. From estate apps to access control, power management, and even groceries, the digital community is here. It’s time we built the structures to sustain it.”