Amid the rapid expansion of Africa’s real estate sector, the National Association of Realtors (NAR Global) is intensifying efforts to enhance professional standards, implement digital technologies, and strengthen customer service. Through certification programs and partnerships with agencies in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda, NAR is helping shape a more transparent and globally connected property market across the continent.
Expanding NAR Programs Across Africa
In June 2025, during a summit in Lagos, Nigeria, NAR President-Elect Kevin Brown and NAR Global leaders highlighted the potential for greater transaction transparency, PropTech adoption, and trust building in Africa’s property market. A central initiative is the expansion of the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, which includes five courses covering global real estate markets—including Africa—focused on legal frameworks, cultural norms, and international deal practices.
Partnerships with African Associations
NAR Global has developed bilateral relationships with local organizations such as the Association of Estate Agents of Nigeria (AEAN), Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association (GREPA), Real Estate Business Owners of South Africa (REBOSA), and the Association of Real Estate Agents Uganda (AREA-U). In Nigeria, the program aims to boost transparency and make the housing sector more attractive to global investment.
Driving Digital Transformation
NAR’s initiatives emphasize the use of PropTech, including virtual property tours, AI-based valuation tools, mobile platforms for listings and transactions, and the development of digital land registries powered by blockchain. Real estate agents and legal professionals are being trained in digital literacy to meet rising tech demands.
Benefits of CIPS Certification
- Professional upskilling: CIPS-certified agents gain access to global marketing tools, networks, and best practices
- Client trust: Standardized ethical training enhances service quality and reputation
- Investor confidence: International investors are more likely to work with certified professionals
- Local empowerment: NAR supports legal infrastructure development, including digital contracts, ethical codes, and consumer protections
Key Market Challenges
Despite progress, several barriers remain:
- Outdated infrastructure, especially in land registration
- Weak consumer protection in online transactions
- High mortgage rates—up to 27–30%—limit homeownership access
- The need for standardized digital legal frameworks and acceptance of e-signatures
NAR is collaborating with regulatory bodies to help resolve these issues.
Knowledge Exchange and Conferences
NAR actively promotes participation in events like the Africa Real Estate Conference & Expo (ARCE) and the regional FIABCI Summit in Lagos. Its presence at FIABCI—the first hosted on African soil—highlights the strategic importance of regional and international dialogue.
Strategic Benefits for Africa
- Improved transparency and transaction trust
- Greater foreign investment in residential and commercial assets
- Accelerated PropTech adoption and blockchain-based recordkeeping
- Workforce upskilling aligned with global standards
- Strengthening of civil institutions to protect buyers and sellers
Outlook Through 2028
According to Knight Frank, Africa’s property market is projected to grow at 5.9% annually from 2023 to 2028. With NAR’s involvement, this growth could be even more pronounced thanks to the integration of education, digitization, and international investment strategies.
Conclusion
NAR Global’s focus on certification, digitization, and cross-border collaboration is not just raising professional standards—it is reshaping the African real estate landscape. Through strategic partnerships, training programs like CIPS, PropTech adoption, and international networking, the continent is laying the groundwork for a real estate ecosystem that is transparent, technologically advanced, professionally accountable, and increasingly attractive to global capital.
