From Abuja, Isaac Anumije
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa said the continent faces a housing deficit of at least 51 million homes, with a funding gap estimated at around $1.4 trillion, warning that Africa’s housing deficit could rise to around 130 million homes by 2030 if solutions are not accelerated.
According to the minister, more than 54 million Africans currently live in urban slums.
After receiving the Transformative Africa Minister of Housing Award at the 2025 Africa Housing Awards & Industry Year-End Dinner held in Abuja over the weekend, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has commenced construction of over 10,000 housing units in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the past two years, with ongoing urban renewal and slum upgrading programs impacting over 150 communities across the country, providing critical infrastructure. Create jobs and strengthen the local building materials value chain.
He said the award reflected a deliberate shift in Nigeria’s housing policy from piecemeal interventions to a structured national housing program focused on scale, systems and measurable impact.
Dangiwa noted that Africa’s housing crisis has reached a scale that requires urgent and concerted action, stressing that housing is no longer a fringe social problem but a central driver of economic growth, social stability and human dignity.
He commended the organizers of the Africa International Housing Show and Africa Housing Awards, saying the platform was an important driver for advocacy, accountability and continued sectoral engagement across Africa.
“Housing is more than just a building. It is dignity for families, security for communities and opportunity for nations. It is also one of the most powerful drivers of jobs, value creation and inclusive growth,” the Minister said.
In a statement, Dangiwa stressed that no country can solve Africa’s housing shortage alone and called for deeper cooperation between governments, the private sector, financial institutions and development partners. He emphasized the need to make housing part of the continent’s productivity agenda, centered 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 will continue to deepen intercontinental partnerships, accelerate innovative housing finance solutions, strengthen innovation in construction and sustainability, and ensure that housing policies remain people-centered and dignity-oriented.
Dangiwa congratulated the winners from across the continent, saying the awards highlight what is possible when African-led solutions are matched with discipline, partnership and political will.
The minister further explained that “Africa’s housing future will be built together or not at all.”
