Financing affordable housing through real estate investment trusts in Africa

Abstract

Ensuring affordable housing is a strategic importance issue for development equality and social peace in developing nations. This article discusses how Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can assist governments achieve their development strategy of achieving affordable housing programs in Africa. The article argues that African governments should facilitate the issuance of state-backed REITs through the respective capital markets where prospective investors can invest in such financial products and start the journey towards owning a house. Boosting affordable housing programs require African countries to incentivize the private sector to experiment with various affordable housing tailored REITs to ensure their effectiveness and also stimulate capital markets investments. Further deepening of the REITs market by African states will also broaden the capital markets thus enabling the tapping of such markets to raise capital for affordable housing.