Program Overview
The Master’s in Real Estate Development for African Cities (REDAC) is the first Executive Master’s program dedicated to sustainable real estate development and urban strategies in Africa. It addresses the continent’s critical challenges: a housing deficit of over 50 million units, climate vulnerability, and the need for skilled professionals to structure bankable, sustainable projects.
This intensive 12-month program combines economics, finance, law, urban planning, and environmental sciences to equip public and private decision-makers with the tools to transform African cities. Powered by the Sustainable Real Estate Innovation Lab (SuRE In Lab) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and supported by EPFL’s African Cities Lab, REDAC offers a systemic, practice-oriented approach to real estate development in Africa.
About Africa Business School & UM6P
Africa Business School positions itself at the intersection of business, science, and technology, promoting innovative and sustainable solutions for Africa and the world. Founded in 2016, ABS is recognized as a center of excellence in management and innovation at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and aims to become a benchmark institution in Africa in the fields of research, education, and consulting.
University Mohammed VI Polytechnic is a leading institution oriented towards applied research and innovation, with a focus on Africa. The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. As more than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P serves as a platform for experimentation with learning by experimentation and practice at the heart of training and research.
Powered by the Sustainable Real Estate Innovation Lab (SuRE In Lab): The program is powered by an UM6P entity dedicated to innovation in the field of real estate and urban development in Africa, with a focus on sustainability and resilience of the built environment. It covers every type of real estate—from households to hospitals, hotels, commercial properties, marinas, and logistics hubs—and their integration into urban environments.
Program Structure
10 comprehensive modules (A-J) + capstone project. Each module provides both conceptual foundations and practical applications.
A
MODULE A
DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSFORMATIONS, URBAN DYNAMICS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Explore urbanization trends, demographic profiles, and urban expansion across Africa. Understand how cities drive economic development and climate change, with practical frameworks for sustainable real estate strategies.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand demographic and urbanization trends in Africa
- Comprehend the relationship between cities, economic growth, and national development
- Recognize cities as engines for both economic development and climate change
- Apply urban resilience and sustainability frameworks to real estate strategies
- Analyze urban planning and governance mechanisms for sustainable development
Certificate Option Available: Urban Sustainability and Urban Economics in African Cities
B
MODULE B
LAND GOVERNANCE, INSTITUTIONS & TERRITORIAL PLANNING
Master land tenure systems, legal frameworks, and governance institutions in Africa. Learn urban planning instruments, institutional pathways, and case-based simulations for effective project navigation.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand land tenure systems and legal frameworks in African contexts
- Navigate land administration and governance institutions
- Apply urban planning frameworks and regulatory instruments
- Manage institutional architecture for urban planning and real estate projects
- Work through multilevel and intersectoral governance mechanisms
C
MODULE C
PUBLIC SPACES, URBAN QUALITY & GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Understand the public realm and its economic value in urban Africa. Explore green spaces, environmental sustainability, and how infrastructure investments impact livability and real estate dynamics.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the public realm and its economic impact on real estate
- Analyze public space quality and its effect on livability and asset values
- Design and implement green spaces and green infrastructures
- Integrate environmental sustainability into urban development
- Build resilience through public space and green infrastructure strategies
D
MODULE D
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE, MOBILITY & CLIMATE RISKS
Examine infrastructure-accessibility relationships, public transit systems, and climate risk assessment for real estate. Learn resilience strategies and strategic positioning for climate-smart investments.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand infrastructure and accessibility relationships in urban development
- Analyze public transit systems and their impact on property markets
- Assess climate risks and vulnerabilities for real estate investments
- Develop climate risk management and resilience strategies
- Apply strategic real estate positioning based on infrastructure dynamics
E
MODULE E
REAL ESTATE MARKETS, TRENDS & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Analyze real estate markets fundamentally. Explore life-cycle costing, sustainable design, and how green finance drives urban sustainability. Study asset class trends in African and global markets.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand real estate market fundamentals and dynamics
- Analyze market drivers and global/African trends
- Apply life-cycle costing approaches to real estate projects
- Integrate sustainability into real estate development and finance
- Leverage green finance mechanisms for sustainable urban development
Certificate Option Available: Real Estate Investments and Climate Change in Africa
F
MODULE F
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, VALUATION & APPRAISAL
Master the development lifecycle from land acquisition to construction management. Learn valuation approaches—cost, income, and sales comparison—with practical application frameworks.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the complete real estate development lifecycle
- Navigate land acquisition, zoning, and feasibility analysis
- Manage project planning and stakeholder engagement
- Apply the three valuation approaches: cost, income, and sales comparison
- Conduct proper appraisal and relative valuation analysis
Certificate Option Available: Introduction to Real Estate Development and Evaluation Processes
G
MODULE G
CORPORATE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, VEHICLES & PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES
Explore investment fundamentals, portfolio strategy, and asset allocation. Learn risk management and investment vehicles (REITs, funds) with case-based analysis and leverage strategies.
Learning Outcomes:
- Master real estate investment fundamentals and principles
- Develop portfolio strategies and asset allocation approaches
- Implement risk management at portfolio and asset levels
- Understand real estate investment vehicles (REITs, funds, etc.)
- Apply leverage strategies and financial architecture principles
H
MODULE H
REAL ESTATE FINANCING & AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS
Learn project finance fundamentals and financial structuring for real estate. Address Africa’s affordable housing crisis through technical design, financial innovation, and energy-efficient solutions.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand project finance fundamentals and structuring
- Analyze macroeconomic context and credit risk
- Develop financial arrangements for real estate projects
- Address affordable housing challenges in African contexts
- Integrate energy efficiency and life-cycle affordability approaches
I
MODULE I
COMMERCIAL & LOGISTICS REAL ESTATE ASSETS
Analyze commercial properties and logistics facilities as asset classes. Study location value, port-city dynamics, supply chain resilience, and how sustainability drives investment returns.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand commercial property asset class fundamentals
- Analyze location-value relationships and rentability dynamics
- Master logistics real estate and port-city interface dynamics
- Assess sustainability and resilience in commercial and logistics assets
- Navigate financing and investment trends in these sectors
J
MODULE J
SPECIALIZED REAL ESTATE ASSETS: TOURISM & HEALTHCARE
Explore tourism and healthcare as specialized asset classes. Understand location dynamics, ownership models, environmental challenges, energy efficiency, and sustainability dilemmas in these sectors.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand tourism as a specialized real estate asset class
- Analyze healthcare facilities and their development models
- Master location and value dynamics in tourism and healthcare
- Address environmental and climate challenges in these sectors
- Navigate sustainability dilemmas and strategic responses
★
CAPSTONE PROJECT
INTEGRATED REAL ESTATE STRATEGY FOR AN AFRICAN CITY
Design a comprehensive real estate development strategy for an African city, integrating financial, spatial, governance, and ESG dimensions. Demonstrate mastery of program concepts through real-world application and analysis.
Certificate Options
As part of ABS and SuRE In Lab’s commitment to modular and personalized offerings, three modules are available as standalone certificates. Limited to 7 places per certificate, taught alongside Master’s participants.
Certificate 1
Urban Sustainability and Urban Economics in African Cities
Module A content
Certificate 2
Real Estate Investments and Climate Change in Africa
Module E content
Certificate 3
Introduction to Real Estate Development and Evaluation Processes
Module F content
