- •Bigger and more dynamic than ever, the 13th annual East Africa Investment (EAPI) Summit, East Africa’s premier real estate gathering, is set for 13 – 14 May 2026 at the Radisson Blu, Upperhill, Nairobi.
- •Held under the theme “Re-newed Momentum”, this year’s EAPI Summit will a new era of investment and scale – where international and domestic institutional capital is backing proven, hardened and resilient players.
- •EAPI Summit is the only international real estate and hospitality gathering that connects real capital to decision makers.
NAIROBI, April 20, 2026 — East Africa’s real estate sector has officially matured beyond speculative growth, entering a high-stakes "Institutional Era" defined by transparency, capital market evolution, and diverse asset classes. As the region’s key cities expand at break-neck pace, the 13th Annual East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit arrives at a critical juncture to connect international capital with the sector’s most influential project leaders.
This year’s event will welcome 400+ global investors, developers and professionals from the real estate and hospitality sectors for two days of capital raising, deal-making, networking, and insights from industry leaders and trendsetters.
Meeting Soaring Demand
The shift in the real estate landscape has been driven by a powerful combination of infrastructure development—including improved road networks and utility connectivity—and a surging population that has transformed peri-urban areas into viable residential, industrial and tech hubs.
As the market formalizes, domestic and international institutional investors are increasingly backing proven operators who can deliver at scale. This transition is evident in the residential, industrial and logistics sectors, which are seeing unprecedented interest.
Raghav Gandhi, CEO of Africa Logistics Properties (ALP), notes:
"East Africa’s real estate sector is entering a defining phase of institutionalisation. Capital is increasingly flowing toward proven platforms with the capability to deliver at scale. This shift reflects growing confidence in the region’s fundamentals, from urbanisation and trade expansion to the maturation of capital markets."
In the residential sector, Kenya faces an estimated housing deficit of over two million units, requiring the construction of 250 000 units annually. With current production by the private sector and government only meeting around 20% of that requirement, golden opportunities are available for investors and developers.
One of the developers leading the affordable housing charge is Mi Vida Homes, a key summit partner with a bold mandate for the region.
"Our vision is clear: to build a 10,000-unit pipeline of accessible, value-driven real estate," says Samuel Kariuki, CEO of Mi Vida Homes. "Today, we have already delivered a pipeline of 3,538 units—715 completed and handed over, with a further 808 units actively under completion. We are a business defined by delivery to promise."
The focus on resilience, sustainability, and performance at EAPI is particularly timely, as explained by Niyi Adeyele, Head of Real Estate: Africa Regions, at Stanbic Bank.
"East Africa’s cities are growing rapidly, and their prosperity belongs to developments that are future-proof. EAPI continues to raise the quality of conversation and decision-making required for the region’s built environment.”
Key Highlights of the 13th EAPI Summit:
- •The Institutional Era: Institutional mandates are shifting toward logistics, healthcare, and alternative residential assets to prioritize resilience and diversified yield.
- •A Favorable Debt Environment: Stabilizing global and domestic interest rates are repositioning debt as a superior alternative to equity and self-funding for large-scale developments.
- •Platform Scaling and Market Maturity: Success in East Africa now requires formalizing residential platforms and utilizing mixed-use "super towers" to meet the depth of high-end and institutional demand.
- •The Rise of Specialized Hospitality and Retail: Investors are pivoting toward branded residences, long-stay hospitality models, and convenience-led retail to capture evolving consumer and traveler preferences.
- •Resilience as a Financial Prerequisite: Integrating green building standards and the Building Resilience Index (BRI) is becoming essential for de-risking assets, securing insurance, and attracting global climate-focused capital.
To sponsor or speak at #EAPI2026, please email [email protected].
Visit https://eapisummit.com/ for the full summit programme and more information.
About API Events
Africa Property Investments (API) Events has become Africa’s leading B2B event and thought leadership platform for real estate investment and hotel development across the continent. Each year, API Events’ conferences, tours and experiences create meaningful discussions and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of opportunities for our attendees and partners.
Join us we mobilise capital for opportunities across real estate markets in Africa across its major sectors including retail, multi-family, mixed use, commercial and industrial, hospitality and lodging, and emerging asset classes.
