Industry leaders from across Africa’s education, property and finance sectors will gather in Johannesburg for the 7th Annual Affordable & Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) Summit and Expo 2026. The event will take place on 30–31 March 2026 in Sandton and will focus on solutions to Africa’s growing student housing shortage.
Hosted by the Africa Student Housing Forums, the two-day summit will bring together more than 70 local and international experts along with senior decision-makers from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, property developers, investors, financiers, government agencies and student accommodation operators.
Addressing South Africa’s Student Housing Shortage
The summit takes place as South Africa faces a critical shortage of student accommodation. The country currently lacks more than 500,000 student beds across universities and TVET colleges. This shortage has become a significant barrier to higher education access and student success.
Many students are forced to live far from campus or in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, which affects their academic performance and overall wellbeing.
Exploring Solutions for Affordable Student Accommodation
The summit will focus on practical solutions to accelerate the development of safe, affordable and sustainable student housing across Africa. Discussions will examine innovative financing models, public-private partnerships and alternative construction technologies designed to deliver student accommodation at scale.
Key topics will include green construction methods, PropTech solutions and scalable development strategies that can help close the housing gap while supporting long-term sustainability.
Investment Opportunities in the PBSA Sector
According to Steve Munyao, Convener of the Africa Student Housing Forums, the student accommodation sector represents a critical opportunity for Africa’s economic development.
“Student accommodation is not just a property issue—it is a strategic investment in Africa’s human capital and economic future,” he said. “If Africa is to build a competitive skills economy, we must ensure students have safe, affordable places to live that support their academic success.”
Participants will gain insights into emerging investment opportunities within the rapidly expanding PBSA sector and explore partnerships that could unlock new student housing developments across the continent.
Industry Expo and Networking Opportunities
Alongside the summit discussions, the event will host an industry expo showcasing innovative solutions from construction companies, architects, technology providers and modular building specialists.
The summit is designed to create a platform for networking, deal-making and knowledge exchange among stakeholders working to shape the future of student accommodation in Africa.
Event Details
7th Annual Affordable & Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Summit and Expo
30–31 March 2026
Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
For more information:
Steve Munyao
Convener, Africa Student Housing Forums
Email: pbsa@pbsa.africa
Phone: +27 82 834 9490
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