Africa faces a major housing challenge. Across the continent, there’s a need for about 52 million new homes to cater to the burgeoning populations. But the traditional real estate development systems are hardly adequate to cater to the rising demand.
Can innovation come to the rescue?
Yes, several companies scattered across Africa are implementing innovative construction engineering solutions to address the housing problem. These companies, led by innovators, are driving transformative change in Africa’s housing and construction sectors.
Together, these pioneers are redefining how Africa can build affordable, durable, and environmentally responsible structures, offering scalable models that other regions can replicate in the global pursuit of sustainable development and inclusive growth.
14Trees
14Trees is an innovative company dominating the African construction-tech scene with its game-changing technology and approach to building development. Founded as a joint venture between Holcim, British International Investment (BII), and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, with its roots in Africa, the company leverages innovative 3d printing technology to streamline real estate development across Africa.
14Trees offers end-to-end construction technology services, including project design, budgeting, supply of their proprietary IROKO 3d printer, local material sourcing, and training. Their multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, and 3d specialists supports clients from project conception to completion, ensuring compliance with local building standards.
The company’s focus is on providing sustainable, fast, and affordable housing solutions, aligning with their commitment to reducing the environmental impact of construction.
Notably, 14Trees made global headlines by constructing the world’s first 3d-printed school and developing the world’s largest affordable 3d-printed housing project. These milestones underscore their contribution to alleviating Africa’s housing shortages while showcasing the potential of 3d printing as a sustainable construction solution.
Power2Build
Power2Build is an Angolan startup that was established to address the critical housing shortfall in Angola. With the country grappling with a deficit of over three million homes, Power2Build introduced advanced 3d concrete printing technologies to redefine construction efficiency and affordability in the region. But now, its solution is spreading even beyond the borders of Angola.
The company incorporates COBOD’s BOD2 and BOD3 printers to streamline several aspects of building construction processes, such as digitising building designs, creating specialised concrete mixes, and automating on-site construction. Their team, composed of architects, engineers, and technicians, ensures high-quality output while fostering local expertise in cutting-edge construction technologies.
The company is credited with having the world’s second-largest 3d printer, which they use judiciously to develop affordable housing for clients within days. Power2Build’s innovations are not only helping to reduce the housing deficit in Africa but also proving the viability of 3d printing as a scalable solution for mass housing across Africa. By integrating local materials and skills, they are fostering homegrown innovation and building capacity in sustainable construction methods.
MycoTile
MycoTile is an innovative Kenyan company creating eco-friendly construction materials solutions for Africans. Co-founded by Kenyan architect Mtamu Kililo, MycoTile manufactures building materials such as panels and blocks by combining agricultural waste with fungal mycelium, creating innovative materials that are both sustainable and high-performing.
The company works closely with smallholder farmers, sourcing agricultural wastes such as maize cobs, coconut coir, and coffee husks for its raw materials. This way, it also provides farming communities with alternative income streams.
MycoTile’s product line includes suspended ceiling panels with impressive fire-retardant and acoustic properties, and they are actively prototyping wall insulation, construction blocks, and MDF-style panels. Their environmentally friendly process not only diverts agricultural waste from landfills but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions in construction.
Gjenge Makers
Gjenge Makers, based in Nairobi, Kenya, is an innovative, sustainability-focused construction materials company. The company creates affordable and durable construction bricks out of plastic waste, offering a dual solution to Kenya’s mounting plastic pollution and housing challenges.
Founded by Nzambi Matee, a materials engineer passionate about environmental conservation and sustainable innovation, the company operates a recycling and manufacturing facility. For its operations, Gjenge Makers collects tons of discarded plastic, processes it into high-strength, lightweight bricks that surpass conventional concrete in both affordability and durability. The company’s products ais gaining widespread usage in paving, flooring, and construction applications, providing a viable alternative to traditional building materials while supporting circular economy principles.
Gjenge Makers’ work has garnered global recognition for its innovative approach to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By diverting significant volumes of plastic from landfills and waterways, the company contributes to cleaner cities while providing affordable building materials that can support community housing and infrastructure projects across Kenya and potentially other African countries.
Kubik
Kubik is an innovative Ethiopian construction-tech startup leveraging plastic recycling to tackle the country’s housing and infrastructure challenges. The company converts plastic waste into low-cost, high-quality modular building components, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction materials.
The company’s products are designed for rapid and cost-effective deployment, making them ideal for affordable housing projects, schools, and community facilities. By integrating recycled materials into construction, Kubik not only reduces environmental impacts but also contributes to creating a circular economy where waste becomes a resource.
Kubik’s innovations have earned accolades for their role in sustainable construction and waste management. Their operations are scaling rapidly, positioning the company as a pioneer in using waste as a catalyst for sustainable housing in Africa. Essentially, Kubik is reshaping Ethiopia’s construction landscape by offering solutions that are affordable, eco-friendly, and socially impactful.
Afripanel
Afripanel is a South African innovative company specialising in the production of prefabricated modular building solutions. The company supplies insulated panels designed for construction use cases, including homes, schools, clinics, and commercial buildings.
address. ensuring rapid deployment even in remote areas.
Afripanel’s modular systems allow for flexibility in design, efficient construction timelines, and lower labour requirements. Its solutions are primarily aimed at significantly reducing the cost of housing and infrastructure projects while simultaneously addressing Africa’s urgent need for fast-deployable housing. Their prefabricated solutions are particularly valuable in regions facing natural disasters, conflict, or rapid urbanisation, where the need for immediate shelter and facilities is high.
Having delivered modular buildings across various African countries, Afripanel is recognised for providing practical and scalable solutions to the continent’s housing crisis. By combining speed, affordability, and adaptability, Afripanel is making significant strides toward improving living standards.
