Africa faces 50 million housing deficit – Dangiwa

File photo: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa

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The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has revealed that Africa is facing a housing deficit of at least 50 million units, accompanied by a $1.4 tn gap in housing finance.

Speaking at the 7th Africa Housing Awards in Abuja, the Minister stressed that the housing crisis remains one of the continent’s most urgent development challenges.

Dangiwa said: “The deficit trajectory is worsening and could rise to about 130 million housing units by 2030 if solutions are not accelerated; housing is one of Africa’s most critical development pressures.

“About 54 million Africans currently live in urban slums, reflecting the scale of unmet demand driven by rapid urbanisation, weak housing finance systems, and limited large-scale delivery.”

According to him, housing shortages now sit at the centre of economic growth constraints, social stability risks, and urban resilience challenges across the continent.

Nigeria, he noted, mirrors the broader African deficit, with a conservatively estimated housing shortfall of more than 17 million units.

He said: “The Federal Government is responding by shifting from fragmented projects to a structured national housing delivery programme under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. More than 10,000 housing units have been commenced across 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the last two years, alongside urban renewal and slum upgrade projects impacting more than 150 communities nationwide.”

He stressed, however, that no single country can close the deficit alone, calling for stronger continental cooperation, increased private sector participation, and scalable financing models.

The housing deficit theme dominated the Africa Housing Awards, where 52 individuals and institutions were recognised for interventions aimed at narrowing supply gaps.

The convener of the awards, Festus Adebayo, said the housing and construction sector remains a major driver of jobs and economic growth but is under pressure from rising demand, regulatory gaps, and global economic headwinds.

He said: “These pressures informed the creation of the awards platform to promote accountability and best practice across the sector. The Housing Development Advocacy Network is enforcing a zero-tolerance stance against unethical practices, warning that the group would expose fraud and sharp practices in the sector, including by award recipients, to protect homebuyers and investors.”

He added that stakeholders are working with the National Assembly, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Federal Ministry of Housing, Lagos State, and other regulators to strengthen housing regulations in line with international best practice.

Josephine, a correspondent with The PUNCH has over two years experience covering the building industry and the personal finance ecosystem

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