Kennedy Okonkwo has done very well for himself and country. From being a homeless young boy in Lagos to becoming a billionaire businessman, the visionary entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Nedcomoaks Group has put Nigeria prominently on the global map of real estate development. Now, he feels it’s the time to take the rest of Africa along.
Okonkwo seeks to unlock Africa’s multi-million-dollar real estate market through an initiative called Invest in Africa. To achieve this, he has led his Nedcomoaks Group into a strategic partnership with Citadel Estates & Utilities, United Kingdom, aimed at attracting diaspora investment, facilitating wealth creation, and promoting sustainable development in Africa’s booming property market. The partnership gave birth to the “Invest in Africa Summit 2025,” the vehicle for driving the initiative.
“The Invest in Africa Summit is more than just an event, Okonkwo declared. “It’s a movement towards economic empowerment and sustainable development. Africa’s real estate sector is on an upward trajectory, presenting immense opportunities for wealth creation.
“By bridging the gap between the Diaspora and investment opportunities back home, we are not just facilitating transactions; we are building legacies and reshaping the African investment narrative.”
The Group Deputy Managing Director, Nedcomoaks Group, Mrs. Ichechi Okonkwo, said: “Our collaboration with Citadel Estates & Utilities demonstrates our shared commitment to bridging international capital with local market expertise.”
The vehicle has already been in full throttle since March this year, moving from London, Manchester and Birmingham in the United Kingdom, to the United States and Canada. The first in series of Investment in Africa Summit 2025 was kick-started in the United Kingdom – in London on March 15, Manchester on March 22, and Birmingham on March 23, 2025. It featured networking sessions, panel discussions, and presentations on foreign direct investment-friendly policies, with developers unveiling new projects. It hosted some of the most influential policymakers and business leaders who shared insights and strategies that could drive growth and prosperity.
Speaking during the Summit, United Kingdom series, the Nigerian billionaire businessman called on African investors, both at home and in the diaspora, to take charge of the continent’s economic destiny by harnessing its abundant human and natural resources. He emphasized that Africa possesses all it needs to thrive — vast natural resources, a youthful workforce, and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, he warned that if Africans fail to invest in their economies, foreign investors will continue to dominate key industries.
According to him, “We have 60% of the world’s arable land and 30% of its mineral resources, yet we import $35 billion worth of food annually. This is not a setback but a call to action. If Africans abroad invest just 10% of their $2 trillion combined wealth back home, we can revolutionize the continent,” Okonkwo said.
Drawing from his experience from being a homeless young boy in Lagos to becoming a real estate magnate, he underscored the vast opportunities within Africa, urging investors to see beyond the challenges and tap into the continent’s transformative potential.
He continued: “Africa’s future does not lie in foreign aid but in African-led investments. We must bridge the gap between diaspora wealth and local talent, creating Africa-owned businesses and industries.”
Okonkwo highlighted the growing influence of foreign investors, particularly from China, Lebanon, and India, in key sectors of African economies. Rather than viewing this as a threat, Okonkwo positioned it as a wake-up call for African professionals and entrepreneurs to take ownership of their industries.
“We need to train and retrain our people to take full advantage of opportunities within critical sectors like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. No one will build a better Africa for us—we must do it ourselves,” he stressed.
While acknowledging leadership challenges, Okonkwo urged African investors not to be deterred but to actively shape the continent’s economic future. “We cannot keep throwing away the baby with the bathwater. Africa’s transformation depends on our collective action,” he concluded.
He urged non-resident Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora with investment opportunities they left behind to reconnect with home by collaborating with local developers and stakeholders to solve Africa’s pressing housing challenges. He called on investors, developers, financial institutions, and policymakers to seize the opportunity offered by his initiative to collaborate, innovate, and drive long-term prosperity in Africa’s real estate sector.
The CEO of Haven Homes, Ufuoma Ilesanmi, a participant at the Summit, described the summit as a “game-changer” that will attract billions in foreign investments and empower professionals abroad.
“The demand for Nigerian real estate among the diaspora has grown significantly in recent years. Now is the perfect time for credible developers, realtors, and investors to unite and create lasting solutions.” She stressed the need for collaboration within the industry, urging stakeholders to push for policies that will further strengthen the sector.
“A unified industry voice will drive even greater impact. While organizations like RADAN have done great work, more collaboration is needed to unlock Africa’s full potential.”
Other participating partners include Chairman/CEO of Periwinkle Residences Limited, Dr. Chiedu Nweke; Tayo Sonuga, MD/CEO of Carrillion Consultants Limited, Engr Abidemi Amusa; Group CEO of Zylus Group International, Dr Olatujoye Oluwatosin; Chairman and CEO Air Peace, Allen Onyema; and more.
From the United Kingdom, the Invest in Africa Summit train moved to the USA/Canada with successful stops in cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Maryland (all in the USA) as well as Calgary, Canada, all in May, 2025.
In all, the Invest in Africa Summit series emerged as a powerful platform that spotlighted and championed Africa’s—especially Nigeria’s—boundless potential as the prime destination for diaspora investments. But it was not just a conference; it was a call to action.
What a truly phenomenal journey the months of March and May were for Ned Okonkwo, the visionary Nigerian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and real estate mogul.
The man with a track record of transforming the real estate industry and positively impacting lives is globally known as Africa’s biggest real estate entrepreneur.
As the founder and CEO of Nedcomoaks Limited, he has built an impressive portfolio of residential properties that have not only transformed the skyline of Nigeria but have also provided affordable housing solutions for Nigerians.
Okonwo’s passion for entrepreneurship and his belief in the transformative power of real estate have been the driving force behind his success. He founded Nedcomoaks Limited with zero capital, and in just under a decade, the company has become a leading player in the Nigerian real estate industry, providing employment for thousands of people and generating annual revenues of over N15 billion.
As a passionate advocate for the power of real estate to transform Nigeria’s socioeconomic landscape, Okonkwo has dedicated his career to providing affordable housing solutions to Nigerians. He has also been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, sponsoring the Eti Osa community Oba’s Cup and founding the Kennedy Okonkwo Programme for Tech Entrepreneurs.
His academic credentials include a Master of Business Administration from Lagos State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Ibadan. He has also gained extensive experience in business strategy, finance, and development, having previously served as a Business Strategy Advisor at Amazon Energy, Chief Executive Officer of Victoria Crest Homes, Managing Director of Nedcomoaks Limited, and Group Managing Director of Capital Mortgage Bank, a Capital Holdings Company.
As an industry leader, Okonkwo’s areas of specialization include real estate, renewable energy, finance, and business development. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in energy costs, Okonwo founded Citadel Views in 2021. This innovative development company is focused on building estates that are powered by renewable solutions, providing sustainable and environmentally friendly housing solutions for Nigerians.
Through his entrepreneurial vision, Kennedy Okonkwo has transformed the Nigerian real estate industry and made a significant impact on the lives of many Nigerians. His commitment to providing affordable housing solutions and his passion for sustainability make him an inspiring leader and a true agent of change not only in the Nigerian business community, but also in Africa.
