• • 07 October 2025
  • 
  •  Michael Mathenge  Datum Editorial
• archiDATUM News , News ,

Africa Risen: Design Thought Leaders Set to Review the Continent’s Future

The countdown is on for the 18th Real Estate Development Summit – Africa, with the real estate investment world turning its attention to Dubai this week. The event is hosted by GBB Venture at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City on October 8th and 9th, 2025. The summit - themed “Africa Risen” - features a highly anticipated exclusive session: “Design Outlook: What’s Shaping the New Africa?”

This session will be a convergence of four of Africa’s most forward-thinking architects, brought together to map out the innovative strategies needed to unlock the continent’s immense real estate potential.

Gathering of notable African based Architects

The “Design Outlook” session will be moderated by Michael Mathenge, Director of Archidatum Ltd., the world’s largest digital resource on architecture in Africa. He is set to steer an insightful conversation among these architectural leaders. Scheduled for the afternoon on 8th October, the speakers will comprise of the following esteemed panelists:

Mphethi Morojele, Founder & Managing Director of MMA Design Studio: A leading voice in South African architecture, Mphethi is renowned for his focus on designing solutions for rapid urbanization that directly address the realities of low-income populations, advocating for designs rooted in local economic and social sustenance. See more of their work https://mmastudio.co.za/studio/

Anton Larsen Payá, Principal at MASS Design Group: Representing a globally impactful firm, Anton brings a philosophy of regenerative design, emphasizing the creation of a net positive impact on the environment by leveraging local craftsmanship and materials. See more of their work https://massdesigngroup.org/

Mona Hussein, Owner & CEO of Mona Hussein Design House – MHDH: Hailing from Egypt, Mona is known for her innovative approach to luxury and bespoke design, offering a crucial perspective on how to match high-end client expectations with regionally appropriate, culturally resonant architecture. See more of their work https://monahussein.com/en-us

Andrew Kusewa Kilonzi, Director at Boogertman + Partners Architects: Andrew represents one of Africa’s largest architectural practices, providing vital insight into executing large-scale, complex projects across diverse African markets while seamlessly integrating modern design and sustainability principles. See more of their work https://boogertmanandpartners.com/

This carefully curated panel will share their expertise from Southern, Eastern, and Northern Africa to the 350+ pre-qualified attendees - including over 25 active real estate investors - who want to gain direct insight into the continent’s most pressing design and development challenges.

What to expect from the Discourse

 The discussions are poised to challenge conventional wisdom and provide an enriching perspective for how design can improve economic and cultural growth across the continent. The panelists will delve into interwoven themes that are crucial for every investor and architect.

Reviewing Spontaneous Urbanization: Confronting the reality of Africa’s rapid, low-income urbanization. In the current development trend, what is the role of public space, and are they just spaces for social amenities or can they have dignity? That is where resilience and sustainability fit into future new developments.

Localizing the Value Chain: To truly reveal Africa’s construction potential, evaluating the construction value chain is pivotal. The discourse will explore market-changing strategies like import substitution and fostering crafting industries based on locally derived building materials. Why not invest in bio-based materials and circular economies? Embracing tradition (like earth construction) is proving to be the ultimate form of low-carbon innovation.

Holistic approach to Return on Investment: A critical focus will be placed on bridging the gap between design aspiration and financial reality. For instance, long-term operational savings of passive heating and cooling far outweigh the short-term convenience of conventional energy intensive structures. What design and construction approach would yield a holistic ROI? One that factors in risk mitigation—such as climate-resilient features like “sponge city” design—and the enhanced asset value gained through integrating nature.

Communal Ownership in Projects: Finally, the session aims to address the challenge in cultivating a Pan-African design culture. What is the role of publications, competitions, and policy in moving communities from being passive recipients of development to active participants? This is essential for ensuring that future architecture possesses a distinct cultural character that is celebrated and owned by its inhabitants, moving the continent beyond the constraints of generic global styles.

The "Design Outlook: What’s Shaping the New Africa?” session promises to transform the approach of stakeholders to Africa’s built environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to listen to these visionaries and their blueprint for Africa’s regenerative and profitable real estate future.

For more information please visit: https://africa.redevelopmentsummit.com/