Africa is grappling with a housing deficit of no fewer than 50 million units, with an estimated $1.4tn housing finance gap, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has warned.
Without accelerated solutions, the continent’s housing deficit could rise to about 130 million units by 2030, Dangiwa disclosed at the 7th Africa Housing Awards in Abuja, where about 52 individuals, organisations, and government bodies including Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, and other African leaders were honoured across three categories.
Dangiwa, who emerged as Africa’s most transformational Minister of Housing and Urban Development 2025 for reforms targeting affordability, local materials and private sector participation, said today about 54 million Africans live in urban slums and the continent faces a shortfall of housing of at least 50 million housing units whose housing finance gap is estimated at about over 1.4 trillion dollars.
“So if you do not accept the solution or accelerate the solutions, Africa’s housing deficit is projected to rise to about 130 million units by 2030,” the minister stated, noting that housing could no longer be treated as a peripheral sector.
He stressed that housing sits at the intersection of economic growth, social stability, urban resilience and human dignity.
The minister added that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is shifting from fragmented housing projects to a structured national programme focused on measurable delivery. According to him, Nigeria’s housing deficit is conservatively estimated at over 17 million units, noting however that the Federal Government was responding with scale and systems.
Dangiwa revealed that in the last two years, the ministry had commenced over 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He added that through urban renewal and slum upgrade programmes, the government had impacted more than 150 communities nationwide with critical infrastructure.
The minister, however, stressed that no single government or country could address the housing challenge alone, calling for a continental approach. He commended the organisers of the Africa International Housing Show for sustaining advocacy and accountability in the sector, describing the annual event as more than a conference.
Meanwhile, the convener of the 7th Africa Housing Awards, Barr. Festus Adebayo, has declared zero tolerance for scammers in the housing and construction sector, vowing to expose fraudulent practices even among award recipients.
Adebayo said the housing and construction sector remains a major driver of growth, job creation, and national development hence the need for zero tolerance for scammers in the sector while collaborating with the National Assembly, Federal Capital Territory, Federal Ministry of Housing, Lagos State government and other regulatory agencies to ensure appropriate regulations are put in place like what is obtainable in Dubai.
Speaking at the event, he said the housing crisis remains one of Africa’s most urgent development challenges, explaining that the decision to institute the Africa Housing award ceremony seven years ago was to recognize and appreciate contributions of deserving individuals and organizations contributing to the development of the sector which has been attracting participants from all across Africa.
According to him, the Housing sector is evolving as new technologies, shifting regulations, global economic pressures, and environmental challenges continue to influence the way stakeholders work.
“For us in HDAN, we are committed to excellence and we shall continue to monitor the activities of all stakeholders to ensure professionalism in service delivery with zero tolerant to any form of unethical practices in the sector to ensure that the sector is devoid of scammers and fraudsters that take advantage of the innocent public,” he added.
“We would not hesitate to expose any fraudulent malpractices who have been given bad names to the sector even if you are our award recipient,” he disclosed.
The CEO Housing TV show also disclosed that stakeholders are collaborating with the National Assembly, Federal Capital Territory, Federal Ministry of Housing, Lagos State government and other regulatory agencies to ensure appropriate regulations are put in place like what is obtainable in Dubai.
At the event, the Kano governor was named Housing and Infrastructure-Friendly Governor of the Year for policies supporting mass housing delivery and urban renewal initiatives, while Namibia’s Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, who received Minister for Housing of the Year 2025 award said Africa has reached a point where it must recognise and celebrate its own development efforts.
The event had in attendance dignitaries from the Building industry, the Honorable Minister of Housing from Namibia, delegation from Gambia, the delegation from Ghana and the delegation from Kenya as well as all stakeholders that travelled from far and near in Nigeria.
Speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, called for stronger collaboration between journalists and housing sector stakeholders to improve access to decent housing for media professionals. Ike praised the organiser of the Africa Housing Awards and CEO of Housing TV Show, Barrister Festus Adebayo, for his consistent advocacy and support for journalism, saying the platform had amplified public discourse on affordable housing.
“That promise of affording housing ignited dreams across newsrooms. Now, we make a passionate appeal not to abandon us. Our dream is to see your promise come to fruition in 2026. With the support of the Mortgage Bank, this village can rise equipping journalists with stable homes to focus on ethical reporting and peace-building,” she said.
