Stakeholders seek digital innovation to boost urban living

Stakeholders in Africa’s real estate and property management sector have called for stronger collaboration and investment in technology-driven systems to enhance community living and management across the continent. The call was made during the maiden edition of the Real Estate Management in Africa Conference (REMA) 2025, held in Lagos with the theme, ‘Structures Beyond Buildings’. […]

Stakeholders in Africa’s real estate and property management sector have called for stronger collaboration and investment in technology-driven systems to enhance community living and management across the continent.
The call was made during the maiden edition of the Real Estate Management in Africa Conference (REMA) 2025, held in Lagos with the theme, ‘Structures Beyond Buildings’.
Speaking at the event, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of Venco Africa, Chude Osiegbu, urged players in the real estate sector to look beyond physical construction and focus on the operational structures that sustain efficient communities in an increasingly digital age.

“Typically, when you have real estate events, the focus is on developers and construction. 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.”

Osiegbu noted that cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Nairobi, and Accra are expanding fast, creating new residential and commercial collectives that require advanced digital tools for effective management.

“People are living more and more in collectives under central management. In this digital and AI era, those who manage these communities must increasingly rely on technology to make life easier,” he added.

He acknowledged that the adoption of technology in community management often comes with challenges but said the benefits of digitisation; from internet-enabled access control to app-based utilities; outweigh the setbacks.

“There is no introduction of new technologies without friction, but the potential to make life more seamless in our communities is enormous,” Osiegbu said, stressing the need for collaboration among technology firms, banks, and telecom operators to drive transformation.

During a panel discussion titled ‘The Digital Future of African Communities’, moderated by the President of the Nigeria PropTech Association, Dr. Roland Igbinoba, other speakers echoed Osiegbu’s call for deeper digital integration in housing and facility management.

Managing Director of Haven Homes Nigeria, Ufuoma Ilesanmi, said technology has become a critical selling point in real estate development.

 

“Ten years ago, when we introduced smart home features, people didn’t see the need. Today, homes with digital systems sell almost twice as fast. Buyers now demand smart access, energy monitoring, and app-based security,” she said.

She noted that platforms such as Venco and My Estate App have simplified post-sales management, improving accountability and transparency between developers, facility managers, and residents.

Head of Technical Management at UPDC FM Ltd, Chijioke Akanno, described technology as a game-changer in facility management.

“Access control used to take several minutes, with guards calling residents to verify visitors. Now it takes less than 30 seconds with digital QR codes, Apps like Venco have made it easier to manage power, payments, and complaints while enhancing community transparency.”

He, however, called for stronger government involvement, saying that digital systems like panic alarms or emergency alerts must be integrated with responsive public infrastructure such as police and emergency services.