$1.4 trillion needed to finance Africa’s housing deficit – Minister

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has said that the African continent faces a housing shortfall of at least 51 million units, with a financing gap estimated at about $1.4 trillion, warning that without accelerated solutions, Africa’s housing deficit could rise to about 130 million units by 2030.

According to the minister, over 54 million Africans currently live in urban slums.

Speaking after receiving the Transformational Africa Housing Minister of the Year Award at the 2025 Africa Housing Awards & Industry End-of-Year Dinner in Abuja at the weekend, the minister disclosed that in the last two years, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has commenced over 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while ongoing urban renewal and slum upgrade programmes have impacted more than 150 communities nationwide, delivering critical infrastructure, creating jobs, and strengthening local building-material value chains.

He stated that the award reflects a deliberate shift in Nigeria’s housing policy—from fragmented interventions to a structured national housing programme focused on scale, systems, and measurable impact.

Mr Dangiwa noted that Africa’s housing crisis has reached a scale that requires urgent, coordinated action, stressing that housing is no longer a peripheral social issue but a central driver of economic growth, social stability, and human dignity.

He commended the organisers of the Africa International Housing Show and the Africa Housing Awards, describing the platform as a vital engine for advocacy, accountability, and continuous sectoral engagement across Africa.

“Housing is more than buildings. It is dignity for families, security for communities, and opportunity for nations. It is also one of the strongest engines for jobs, value creation, and inclusive growth,” the minister said.

In a statement, Mr Dangiwa emphasised that no country can solve Africa’s housing deficit alone, calling for deeper collaboration across governments, the private sector, financiers, and development partners. He stressed the need to treat housing as a continental productivity agenda, anchored on land-governance reform, bankable housing finance, climate-smart construction, sustainable urban planning, and strong local value chains.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment, the minister pledged that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development would continue to deepen continental partnerships, accelerate innovative housing-finance solutions, strengthen construction and sustainability innovations, and ensure that housing policies remain people-centred and dignity-driven.

Congratulating fellow award recipients from across the continent, Mr Dangiwa said the recognition underscores what is possible when African-led solutions are matched with discipline, partnership, and political will.

“Africa’s housing future will be built together—or not at all,” the minister further explained.