On June 21, 2026, REALITES SENEGAL took part in the Build Africa Expo, held at the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan. The event brought together investors, businesses, and members of the diaspora to discuss investment opportunities in Senegal. A look back at the event.
A forum focused on the Senegalese diaspora
The Build Africa Expo is a gathering for stakeholders who wish to engage with the diaspora living in North America. This New York edition was specifically designed to bring Senegalese living in the United States closer to companies in Senegal, with the aim of encouraging concrete investment projects in Senegal.
The day featured several key events: a networking reception, a conference on investment opportunities, a roundtable discussion bringing together institutional representatives and investors, and an exhibition area where attendees could engage directly with participating companies. Four thematic panels and a room dedicated to B2B meetings punctuated the event, complemented by networking opportunities throughout the day. The real estate sector was among the fields represented, alongside agribusiness, banking and financial services, and oil and gas.
Amadou DIENG’s Participation in the Construction and Housing Panel
REALITES SENEGAL was represented by its CEO, Amadou DIENG, who spoke during the panel discussion titled “Construction, Real Estate, Housing & Quality of Life,” Discussions focused on residential projects, access to housing, new cities, and solutions for Senegalese living abroad.
Amadou DIENG discussed the role that real estate developers play today in urban planning, beyond simply building housing. In particular, he mentioned the road and sewer system work carried out by REALITES SENEGAL around the SIKI residential complex in Almadies, illustrating a commitment that goes beyond the strict scope of residential projects to serve the public interest and promote the sustainable development of neighborhoods.
“Developers are also urban planners, because the government doesn’t have the capacity to do everything,” he told the audience.
Meaningful exchanges with the diaspora
The forum primarily brought together Senegalese living in the United States, as well as visitors from France who were in New York for the World Cup. The vast majority of them were looking for investment opportunities in Senegal, with a strong interest in real estate. The REALITES teams were thus able to engage with an audience that was already well-informed, often had a specific project in mind, and was eager to understand the available solutions.
These meetings provided a better understanding of the expectations, goals, and potential reservations of investors in the diaspora, so that we could offer them support tailored to their specific circumstances.
A long-term approach
For REALITES, this type of event serves as a key vehicle for boosting its international visibility and showcasing its expertise to the diaspora. It also enables its teams to gain a better understanding of how the North American market operates and the specific expectations of investors active in that market. REALITES employees intend to continue this engagement at future events dedicated to the diaspora.