African nations urged to embrace cooperative housing revolution

African countries have been urged to adopt cooperative housing as a transformative strategy to address the continent’s deepening housing deficit, with officials describing it as a shift capable of reshaping access to affordable homes across all income groups. The call was made in Abuja by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator […]

African countries have been urged to adopt cooperative housing as a transformative strategy to address the continent’s deepening housing deficit, with officials describing it as a shift capable of reshaping access to affordable homes across all income groups.

The call was made in Abuja by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, during the Cooperative Housing Summit Africa 2026 themed “Catalysing Adequate Housing for All Through Cooperatives: Leveraging Digital Finance for Cooperative Housing.”

He described the gathering as more than a routine conference, stressing that it represents a coordinated push toward redefining housing delivery through cooperative systems that prioritise inclusion, affordability and sustainability.

“Housing is a catalyst for productivity and indeed national development. Yet, across Africa and indeed Nigeria, millions of our citizens, especially low and middle income earners, continue to face severe housing challenges,” he said.

He highlighted that farmers, traders, artisans, transport workers, students, women, youth, persons with disabilities and informal sector workers remain disproportionately affected by rising housing costs, limited mortgage access, rapid urban migration and weak infrastructure systems.

According to him, traditional housing finance models are no longer sufficient to address Africa’s expanding demand. “The reality before us is clear. Conventional housing finance systems alone cannot solve Africa’s housing crisis. This is why the cooperative model has become more relevant than ever before,” he stated.

The Minister noted that cooperative housing has been effective globally in reducing homelessness and expanding home ownership, urging African governments to integrate it more deliberately into national development frameworks.

He emphasised that achieving sustainable housing would require collaboration among governments, cooperatives, developers, fintech companies, telecom operators and development finance institutions. He further called for improved land administration, stronger regulatory systems and incentives for affordable housing investment, alongside better governance and innovation within cooperatives.

Describing the sector as underutilised, he said, “The cooperative sector is a sleeping giant, and we have begun to awaken it.”

He also commended key partners including Cooperative Housing Africa Group, Cooperative Housing Federation of Nigeria and other stakeholders for driving the continental initiative.

Representing the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Pemi Temitope, reaffirmed government support, noting that cooperative systems combined with digital finance can expand access to affordable housing and strengthen urban development across Africa.