Africa is facing a housing deficit of at least 50 million units, with a financing gap of 1.4 trillion US dollars, Punch Newspaper reports. Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, described the situation as one of the continent’s most urgent development challenges.

Speaking at the 7th Africa Housing Awards in Abuja, Dangiwa warned the deficit could rise to 130 million units by 2030 without accelerated action. “Housing is one of Africa’s most critical development pressures,” he said, citing rapid urbanisation, weak financing systems, and limited large-scale delivery as key drivers.

Currently, around 54 million Africans live in urban slums, highlighting the depth of unmet demand. Housing shortages, Dangiwa said, are central to economic growth constraints, social stability risks, and urban resilience challenges.

Nigeria mirrors the continental gap, with a shortfall estimated at over 17 million units. Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government has launched more than 10,000 units across 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory over two years, alongside urban renewal and slum upgrading projects impacting over 150 communities, Punch Newspaper reports.

Dangiwa stressed that no single country can close the deficit alone, calling for stronger continental cooperation, expanded private sector involvement, and scalable financing solutions.

At the Africa Housing Awards, 52 individuals and institutions were recognised for addressing supply gaps. Festus Adebayo, convener of the awards, said the sector drives jobs and growth but faces pressures from demand, regulatory gaps, and global headwinds.

“These pressures informed the creation of the awards platform to promote accountability and best practice,” he told Punch Newspaper, noting the Housing Development Advocacy Network’s zero-tolerance stance on unethical practices, including by award recipients.