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The Tosin Olatujoye Foundation has unveiled plans for the maiden edition of the Africa Real Estate Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 2026 (AREEB), a two-day industry gathering aimed at reshaping the future of real estate development and entrepreneurship across the continent.
Scheduled to hold on May 8 and 9, 2026 in Lagos, the bootcamp is being positioned as a strategic intervention designed to address knowledge gaps, promote innovation, and empower the next generation of real estate entrepreneurs in Africa.
Speaking at the unveiling, Convener of AREEB 2026, Dr. Oluwatosin Olatujoye, described the initiative as more than just an event, saying it represents a movement to change the narrative surrounding real estate in Africa.
According to him, the real estate sector has long been viewed narrowly through the lens of buying and selling properties, while its broader impact on economic development, wealth creation, urban transformation, and generational prosperity is often overlooked.
He noted that Africa’s rapidly growing population presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the housing sector, stressing that the continent’s population, currently estimated at over 1.5 billion, is projected to rise significantly by 2050, creating increased demand for housing and infrastructure.
Olatujoye said the bootcamp was conceived to equip participants with practical knowledge, mentorship, and strategic insights needed to build sustainable businesses within the real estate industry.
“AREEB is not just a training programme. It is a platform designed to educate, equip, and empower people with practical real-life knowledge that can be immediately applied,” he said.
He explained that the event would feature about 22 speakers drawn from across Africa, including developers, investors, industry experts, and entrepreneurs who are actively shaping the real estate sector.
Beyond discussions on property development and investment, Olatujoye added that the programme would also focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building sustainable business empires.
Also speaking, Busola Olatujoye said Zylus Homes’ decision to support AREEB 2026 aligns with the company’s long-term vision of building people, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth within the industry.
She stated that one of the major challenges facing the African real estate sector is not the absence of opportunities, but limited access to quality knowledge, structure, and mentorship.
According to her, empowering professionals and entrepreneurs with the right information would lead to stronger businesses, a more resilient industry, and broader economic growth.
“At Zylus, we believe the future of African real estate lies in people, informed, disciplined, and visionary leaders who understand the market and can create lasting value,” she said.
Busola added that the company views its partnership with AREEB as an investment in the broader real estate ecosystem across Africa and a commitment to initiatives that deliver long-term impact beyond immediate returns.
Chairman of the AREEB 2026 Planning Committee, Peacemaker Afolabi, also highlighted the urgent need for capacity building within the sector, noting that many practitioners currently lack the required skills and technical knowledge.
He said the bootcamp aims to empower aspiring developers with a deeper understanding of compliance, construction standards, and ethical practices in order to improve professionalism across the industry.
Afolabi stressed that the initiative would help address recurring issues such as building collapse, poor construction practices, and inadequate industry knowledge.
He added that experts from different African countries are expected to attend the event, reinforcing its continental focus and long-term vision for the future of real estate development in Africa.
