The International Finance Corporation estimates Africa’s housing finance gap at $1.4 trillion. Separately, BusinessDay reported that participants at an Egypt real estate conference discussed governance and ways to attract housing investment.
An International Finance Corporation (IFC) fact sheet estimates that at least 51 million housing units are missing across Africa and puts the financing gap at $1.4 trillion. It also reports that 54 million Africans live in urban slums. IFC identifies population and city growth, poor construction quality and scarce housing finance among pressures on housing access.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach cited an existing deficit above 60 million homes. She said it may exceed 130 million by 2030 if current trends persist.
The fourth GIDI Intra-Africa Real Estate Conference ran Nov. 1-8 in Egypt, and the organizer said it had concluded after an eight-day program. GIDI’s schedule put the main sessions in Cairo and listed full conference days in Sharm El-Sheikh; BusinessDay described the gathering as held in Sharm El-Sheikh. GIDI says earlier editions took place in The Gambia, South Africa and Kenya.
GIDI said the gathering addressed access to capital, investment readiness and cooperation among developers, investors and financial institutions. Its conference theme focused on building in Africa while closing the real estate funding gap.
BusinessDay reported that participants said projects need transparent decision-making, dependable accounts and sound risk controls, alongside predictable policies and credible property valuations, to attract investors. The newspaper also reported that AXP Africa chief executive Joy Coker raised blended finance, housing funds, private credit and institutional investment as potential ways to diversify property funding.
GIDI described its Africa Deal Room as a way to connect viable real estate projects with potential investors and strategic partners. The organizer announced no resulting deals, funding commitments or transaction values.
