Zambia’s real estate sector is looking forward to a new chapter as it begins to leverage off opportunities in the steadily growing economy. Latest research figures indicate that during the first quarter of 2017 the country had an economic growth of 3%, mainly driven by activity in the mining, information and communication, as well as financial services sectors. In recent months, there have also been improvements in macroeconomic conditions, as reflected by the appreciating currency, falling inflation and subsequent policy easy.
How Zambia’s real estate sector and other key players innovate to leverage the improving macro environment will be the key focus of the second annual ZamReal Property Forum on 27th September 2017 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia. The one-day forum brings together both local and regional developers, investors, government ministries, financiers and construction majors looking to expand their real estate businesses in the market.
There are currently a number of new opportunities in the Zambian market for both investors and developers. Realising these will, however, “require clear commitment and bold steps from both the private and public sectors if Zambia is to leverage the full potential of its real estate sector to drive domestic growth and regional integration,” says Kfir Rusin, Managing Director of API Events.
ZamReal is recognised as Zambia’s go-to real estate event. The 2017 forum will be attended by over 250 delegates and 100 companies offering insights, thought leadership and solution-focused tools. Headline themes include; unlocking real estate financing, the development of robust public private partnerships, insights into opportunities offered by the Multi- Facility Economic Zone’s (MFEZ), and the implications of new copper belt growth nodes. In addition, the forum will examine the huge, unrealised, opportunities driven by innovative technologies and end-user financing structures aimed at meeting Zambia’s currently undersupplied affordable residential real estate market.
More broadly, ZamReal provides the perfect platform for initiating dialogue between Zambia’s private and public sectors – aimed at setting the country on a new growth path. Specifically, the co-ordination of public infrastructure development with local and global real estate investment, “presents Zambia with an opportunity to re-invigorate the country’s commercial and residential real estate, as it positions itself as a regional logistics, communications and connectivity hub,” adds Rusin.
Key government stakeholders from the ministries of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit, as well as Development Planning are expected to attend and share insights on government projects relevant to the real estate sector.
Key sponsors at this year’s event include Stanbic Bank Zambia, FNB Zambia, First Quantum Minerals Limited, Cushman and Wakefield Excellerate, Sishima Holding, Pam Golding, Knight Frank, and Folotiya & Chiumya. Industry partners will include the Zambia Development Agency, Zambia Institute of Estate Agencies, Zambia Property Owners Association, Zambia Institute of Architects, American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia, National Housing Authority, Kabwe Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Lusaka City Council.
