The first edition of the Africa Real Estate Expo (AFREEXPO 2025) took place in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on May 26, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate sector and the diaspora community in the United States. The event, held at the Marriott Washingtonian Waterfront Hotel, was convened by Efizzi Communications in partnership with the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), a nonprofit organisation established to empower Nigerian Americans and facilitate connections with their home country.

Organisers framed the event as a direct response to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to formalise diaspora contributions into structured investments. Speaking during the expo, Mr. Collins Akpapunam, CEO of Efizzi Communications, said the forum was designed to bridge the gap between a growing real estate market in Nigeria and diaspora investors eager to participate.

“We are committed to providing access to secure, profitable, and sustainable opportunities for Africans in the diaspora, especially Nigerians,” Akpapunam stated. “Real estate is now Nigeria’s third-largest sector, just behind crop production and trade. With over 20 million Nigerians living abroad and record-high remittances reaching $20.93 billion in 2024, this sector offers a clear path to building generational wealth.”

He added that the expo aligns with the vision set by Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who launched the Diaspora Mortgage Scheme in November 2023 as part of efforts to make homeownership more accessible for Nigerians abroad.

The President of NAPAC, Prince Maduka Nkuku, opened the session by highlighting the role of the diaspora in driving sustainable housing development. “Homeownership is not just a financial transaction—it’s a bond to the homeland. Creating systems that ease this process for Nigerians abroad presents a win-win for everyone involved,” Nkuku said.

Representatives of Nigerian real estate firms were present to offer insights on how to navigate the market responsibly. Aare Akintola Oladejo, CEO of Prestigious Homes, acknowledged the challenges of fraud but emphasised the need for proper vetting and due diligence. He noted his company’s collaboration with Access Bank to provide verified pathways to homeownership for diaspora clients.

“Fraud exists everywhere, but it can be avoided,” Oladejo said. “The key is transparency, research, and working with institutions that are regulated and have a proven track record.”

Two financial institutions—Access Bank and Lotus Bank—were among the featured participants. Access Bank’s Adaeze Umeh presented the bank’s diaspora mortgage offerings, noting that the solution is tailored to non-resident Nigerians who possess BVNs. Her colleague, Folayemi Oyebade, facilitated on-site BVN registration and account opening.

“Our diaspora solution is designed to simplify the home-buying journey,” Umeh said. “We’ve incorporated flexibility and support systems to ensure the process is seamless from end to end.”

Lotus Bank, as the sole non-interest financial institution at the expo, introduced its Islamic-compliant mortgage offering, broadening the spectrum of financing options available to attendees.

The event also drew support from the Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS), represented by its CEO, Dr. Lucy Newman. In her remarks, she focused on the private sector’s role in driving policy reforms and investment confidence across Africa. She emphasised the APSS’s ongoing campaign for the adoption of the Private Sector Bill of Rights (PSBOR), which advocates for investor protections and market access reforms.

Ambassador Samson Itegboje, Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, delivered a keynote address, using the platform to speak on Nigeria’s current investment climate. He commended the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying they had set a foundation for inclusive economic participation by diaspora Nigerians.

“Nigeria is repositioning itself as an attractive destination for diaspora capital,” Itegboje said. “It is essential that events like AFREEXPO offer both visibility and structure for this emerging investment movement.”

With the conclusion of the maiden edition, organisers confirmed plans are underway for AFREEXPO 2026. Akpapunam said next year’s edition will build on the partnerships formed this year, with a continued focus on promoting trusted real estate pathways for diaspora Nigerians.

“Our goal remains consistent—connecting the diaspora to credible investments that serve personal, national, and economic interests,” he said.