Morocco’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup are generating growing interest in the country’s property market, as major rail, airport, tourism and urban-development projects move from planning into implementation.

Despite the rising investment activity, national housing prices have not yet recorded the rapid increase typically associated with a speculative property boom.

Residential prices rose by approximately one per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to property-market data from Bank Al-Maghrib and the National Agency for Land Conservation, Cadastre and Cartography.

Apartment prices increased by 1.1 per cent, while house prices declined by 0.7 per cent and villa prices fell by 0.3 per cent.

The figures suggest that Morocco’s residential market is recovering gradually rather than experiencing a nationwide World Cup-driven surge.

Transaction volumes, however, are increasing faster than prices. Total property transactions rose by 11 per cent between the first and second quarters of 2026, while residential transactions increased by 6.3 per cent.

Apartment sales rose by 5.2 per cent, house transactions increased by 25.4 per cent and villa sales climbed by 34 per cent during the quarter, although some of the growth followed weak activity earlier in the year.

The rising transaction volume could indicate that buyers are returning to the market before prices begin accelerating significantly.

A major factor supporting investor confidence is Morocco’s infrastructure programme ahead of 2030.

The country’s railway operator, ONCF, is implementing an investment programme valued at approximately 96 billion Moroccan dirhams.

The programme includes about MAD53 billion for the 430-kilometre Kenitra–Marrakech high-speed railway extension, MAD29 billion for 168 new trains and MAD14 billion for upgrading the existing rail network.

The high-speed line is expected to connect Marrakech with Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier, while new metropolitan rail services are planned around major urban centres.

Morocco has also committed about MAD38 billion to airport expansion, with national passenger capacity targeted to increase from approximately 34 million to 80 million by 2030.

The planned expansion covers Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport and airports serving other World Cup host cities.

Improved transport links could strengthen property values in neighbourhoods that gain permanent access to employment centres, railway stations, airports and tourism districts.

However, proximity to a stadium or infrastructure project does not automatically guarantee strong property returns. Actual commuting times, road connectivity, local employment, rental demand and the volume of new housing supply will remain important.

Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Marrakech appear to have the strongest combination of economic activity, population, tourism and transport investment.

Casablanca benefits from its position as Morocco’s leading commercial centre, alongside proposed airport, railway and metropolitan-transport improvements.

Rabat combines government employment with population growth, high-speed rail access and airport development, while Tangier already benefits from an operational high-speed railway and a strong industrial and port economy.

Marrakech has significant exposure to international tourism and will become the southern destination of the expanded high-speed railway.

Morocco reportedly received 19.8 million international tourists in 2025, representing a 14 per cent increase from 2024. Tourism receipts exceeded MAD138 billion.

The tourism growth could support hotels, holiday accommodation and short-term rentals, particularly in Marrakech, Agadir and Tangier.

Nevertheless, premium villas, renovated riads and luxury apartments marketed to foreign buyers may already include a significant 2030 price premium.

Affordability also remains a constraint. The average interest rate on property loans stood at about 5.06 per cent, while average annual household income was estimated at approximately MAD89,000.

Household debt reached MAD456 billion in 2025, with housing loans accounting for about 60 per cent of the total.

Supply presents another risk. Morocco’s urban housing stock increased from 6.2 million dwellings in 2014 to 8.34 million in 2024.

About 1.1 million urban homes were vacant, while another 1.3 million were classified as secondary or seasonal residences. Together, they represented almost 29 per cent of the urban housing stock.

These figures indicate that Morocco’s housing challenge involves a mismatch between location, price and demand rather than a straightforward nationwide shortage.

The strongest property opportunities ahead of 2030 are therefore likely to emerge in neighbourhoods where permanent infrastructure, employment and tourism demand grow faster than new housing supply.

Investors should examine property titles, planning approvals, rental demand, local incomes, project completion risks and neighbourhood-level supply before purchasing.

Morocco’s World Cup preparations provide a credible long-term development story, but investors must distinguish between property benefiting from lasting economic improvements and developments relying mainly on 2030 marketing.

The post World Cup Infrastructure Fuels Morocco Property Interest, but Risks Remain appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

FTSE Russell has included 10 Nigerian companies in its Frontier Index Series as Nigeria prepares to regain Frontier Market status after nearly three years outside the classification.

The newly eligible companies are Aradel Holdings, Dangote Cement, First HoldCo, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, MTN Nigeria Communications and Nestlé Nigeria.

Others are Nigerian Breweries, Presco, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Zenith Bank.

FTSE Russell identified all 10 companies as newly eligible large-cap stocks in its September 2026 index review.

Their inclusion will become effective when Nigeria’s reclassification from Unclassified to Frontier Market status takes effect at the opening of trading on September 21, 2026.

The FTSE Frontier Index Series provides benchmarks for the performance of large-, medium- and small-cap companies across eligible frontier markets.

The indices can be organised by company size, region, country and industry. They are also used by institutional investors, asset managers and investment funds to measure performance and create index-tracking products.

The addition of Nigerian companies could increase their visibility among international investors whose portfolios or investment strategies are linked to FTSE Russell benchmarks.

It could also support market liquidity and foreign portfolio participation, although index inclusion does not guarantee that investors will purchase the affected shares.

Nigeria was removed from the Frontier Market category and assigned Unclassified status in September 2023.

The decision followed persistent difficulties faced by international institutional investors in accessing foreign exchange and repatriating investment proceeds from Nigeria.

The country’s journey towards reclassification began in October 2025, when FTSE Russell placed Nigeria on a watchlist after observing improvements in foreign-exchange liquidity, market accessibility and capital repatriation.

In April 2026, the global index provider announced that Nigeria would return to Frontier Market status on September 21.

The process was later subjected to further assessment after the Nigerian capital market transitioned from a T+2 to a T+1 settlement cycle on June 1, 2026.

Under the T+1 system, equity trades are settled one business day after the transaction, compared with two business days under the previous arrangement.

Some international investors expressed concerns that the shorter settlement period could create a practical prefunding requirement, particularly for institutions needing additional time to complete foreign-exchange transactions and transfer money across markets.

The concerns led to consultations involving FTSE Russell, NGX Group, the Securities and Exchange Commission, global custodians and international institutional investors.

Following further assessment, FTSE Russell confirmed on August 27 that Nigeria’s return to the Frontier Market category would proceed as planned.

The selection of Dangote Cement provides additional international visibility for a company that plays a major role in Nigeria and Africa’s building-materials market.

The cement producer is separately pursuing a secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange as part of efforts to broaden its shareholder base and improve access to international capital.

Nairametrics reported that companies categorised as Nigerian megacaps added ₦46.69 trillion in market value between December 31, 2025, and August 31, 2026.

The publication defines a megacap company as one with a market capitalisation of at least ₦5 trillion.

Nigeria’s return to the FTSE Frontier Index Series represents an important step in rebuilding the international credibility of the country’s capital market.

Sustaining the benefits will depend on continued foreign-exchange stability, efficient settlement, reliable capital repatriation and investor confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

The post Dangote Cement Among 10 Nigerian Companies Added to FTSE Frontier Index appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

More than 20,000 Lagos families have benefited from government-backed mortgage and rent-to-own housing programmes since the establishment of the Lagos State Mortgage Board, according to the agency’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Bayowa Foresythe.

Foresythe said the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, popularly known as LagosHOMS, was created to provide a more affordable pathway to homeownership for low- and middle-income residents.

The Lagos State Mortgage Board was inaugurated in 2014 following concerns over the state’s growing housing deficit and the inability of many residents to purchase homes through outright payment.

According to Foresythe, the government recognised that the conventional cash-and-carry property market excluded many working families whose incomes could support gradual repayment but not immediate property acquisition.

The state consequently introduced mortgage and rent-to-own options that allow eligible residents to make an initial equity contribution and spread the outstanding cost of their homes over 10 years.

Foresythe said LagosHOMS properties had been allocated across the state’s five administrative divisions, known collectively as IBILE: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

Among the locations identified under the programme are Sangotedo Phases I and II, Surulere, Igbogbo and Ibeshe in Ikorodu, Epe, Ogba, Ilupeju, Ajara in Badagry, Odonosa and Idale.

The housing portfolio includes 360 units in Igbogbo, 420 units in Ibeshe and about 360 units in Epe.

Other developments include 96 and 144 units within the Sir Anthony Enahoro Housing Scheme in Ogba, 120 units at the Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat Housing Estate in Ilupeju and more than 400 units in Ajara, Badagry.

Foresythe said additional housing developments were still under construction as the state worked to expand the supply of homes.

He explained that reduced equity requirements, relatively lower interest rates and the 10-year repayment period had made the programme more accessible to participating residents.

The state government has also introduced an optional early-completion arrangement for beneficiaries with consistent payment records.

Under the arrangement, qualified beneficiaries who have maintained uninterrupted payments for six years may be permitted to settle their outstanding balances instead of waiting until the end of the original 10-year period.

Foresythe identified life insurance, fire insurance, estate-management services and continuing support for beneficiaries as important measures introduced to sustain the scheme.

Despite the reported progress, he acknowledged that Lagos continues to face a substantial housing shortage because demand is growing faster than supply.

The state attracts new residents daily, and each additional household requires accommodation, placing further pressure on the existing housing stock.

Foresythe said neither the government nor private developers could independently deliver all the homes required in Lagos. He therefore advocated stronger partnerships with private investors to accelerate housing construction.

He also urged existing beneficiaries to meet their repayment obligations promptly, explaining that recovered funds would help the government extend housing opportunities to other residents.

The LagosHOMS experience demonstrates how rent-to-own and long-term mortgage arrangements can help workers move from tenancy into homeownership without paying the full property price at once.

However, meeting Lagos’ housing demand will require significantly increased construction, serviced land, affordable development finance and sustained public-private collaboration.

The post LagosHOMS Expands Homeownership Access to Over 20,000 Families appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The dream of building a personal home is becoming increasingly difficult for young Nigerians as rising construction costs, expensive land, limited mortgage access and declining purchasing power combine to weaken housing affordability.

For many young people, securing employment and maintaining regular savings no longer provide a reliable path to homeownership. A growing proportion of household income is now spent on food, rent, transportation, electricity and other necessities, leaving little for land acquisition or construction.

A 2024 savings report by PiggyVest indicated that 65 per cent of Nigerians surveyed either earned below ₦100,000 monthly or had no income.

Only 57 per cent reportedly had some form of financial safety net, down from 64 per cent in the preceding year. The report also found that just 15 per cent had increased their savings, while 19 per cent of those who previously maintained emergency funds had lost them.

The income challenge has been compounded by sharp increases in the prices of essential building materials.

A March 2026 market report placed the price of a 50-kilogramme bag of cement at between ₦11,500 and ₦15,000, compared with about ₦2,500 to ₦3,000 in 2019.

This represents an increase of as much as 367 per cent within seven years.

For a residential project requiring hundreds of bags of cement, the price difference can add several millions of naira to the construction budget.

Other building inputs, including reinforcement steel, sand, granite, roofing sheets, tiles, electrical materials and plumbing products, have also recorded substantial price increases.

Some major building materials reportedly rose by more than 60 per cent, with the increase attributed to inflation, exchange-rate instability, transportation expenses, taxes and higher production costs.

These price changes create severe difficulties for individuals constructing their homes in phases. A budget prepared at the foundation stage may no longer be realistic by the time the owner is ready to begin roofing or finishing work.

Land acquisition presents another major obstacle. In Lagos, Abuja and other rapidly growing urban centres, the cost of land can consume a substantial portion of a young worker’s lifetime savings before construction even begins.

Prospective homeowners must also pay for surveys, title documentation, planning approvals, architectural drawings and other preliminary requirements.

Borrowing is equally difficult. Commercial interest rates remain too high for many individuals seeking loans to build or purchase residential properties.

Although mortgage products are available, eligibility conditions, equity contributions, property-documentation requirements and repayment obligations can exclude workers with modest or irregular incomes.

Labour and professional services add another layer of expense. Residential construction requires masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, painters and tilers.

Developers and individual builders must also engage qualified architects, engineers and quantity surveyors to ensure that projects comply with planning requirements and safety standards.

Attempts to reduce costs by avoiding competent professionals can expose homeowners to defective construction, project abandonment, building failure and future legal problems.

The seven major pressures affecting young prospective homeowners are declining disposable income, expensive cement, rising prices of other materials, high land costs, costly credit, increased labour and professional fees, and inflation during construction delays.

The situation underscores the need for housing policies that recognise the income realities of Nigeria’s young population.

Government interventions could include serviced land schemes, single-digit mortgages, rent-to-own programmes, housing cooperatives, affordable building-material initiatives and support for professionally managed incremental construction.

Reducing the cost of homeownership will require more than encouraging young Nigerians to save. It demands coordinated reforms covering land, finance, infrastructure, construction materials, wages and property documentation.

Without such reforms, owning a home could remain beyond the reach of millions of young Nigerians despite their willingness to work, plan and save.

The post 7 Factors Making It Harder for Young Nigerians to Build Homes in 2026 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Nigeria’s manufacturing sector continued to face prohibitively expensive credit in 2025, with the average interest rate on industrial loans standing at 32.1 per cent.

Although the figure represented an improvement from the 35.6 per cent average recorded in 2024, borrowing costs remained too high to support sustainable industrial expansion and long-term investment.

Data from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria showed that the average lending rate was 32.5 per cent during the first half of 2025 before declining slightly to 31.8 per cent in the second half.

Despite the moderation, every major manufacturing segment surveyed by MAN recorded an average borrowing rate above 30 per cent.

Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers faced the lowest annual average rate at 30.4 per cent, followed by wood, furniture and related producers at 30.8 per cent.

Manufacturers of textiles, clothing, carpets, leather and footwear obtained loans at an average rate of 31.6 per cent.

Metal, iron, steel and fabricated-metal producers paid an average of 32.3 per cent, while electrical and electronics manufacturers faced a rate of 32.4 per cent.

The average borrowing rate for food, beverage and tobacco companies stood at 32.5 per cent. Plastic, rubber and foam manufacturers paid 32.6 per cent.

Motor vehicle and miscellaneous assembly companies recorded an average lending rate of 32.8 per cent. The pulp, paper, printing, publishing and packaging sector faced the same rate.

Non-metallic mineral-product manufacturers recorded the highest average borrowing cost at 33 per cent.

The high rate in the non-metallic mineral sector could have direct implications for Nigeria’s housing and construction industries because the segment produces important building inputs, including cement, ceramics, glass, tiles and related materials.

When manufacturers finance production, machinery, raw materials and expansion at interest rates above 30 per cent, part of the cost may eventually be transferred to consumers through higher product prices.

Elevated borrowing costs can also discourage companies from increasing capacity, upgrading equipment or developing new factories. This could further weaken local production and increase dependence on imported goods.

MAN attributed the slight reduction in lending rates during 2025 to improving economic conditions, including lower headline inflation, greater stability in energy prices and the appreciation of the naira.

However, the association maintained that the cost of credit remained a serious obstacle to manufacturing competitiveness and output growth.

Manufacturers require financing to purchase raw materials, maintain equipment, meet working-capital obligations and expand production. At prevailing commercial lending rates, many businesses may struggle to generate returns sufficient to cover their financing costs.

The situation is particularly concerning for small and medium-sized manufacturers, which generally have fewer financing options and weaker balance sheets than large corporations.

The figures suggest that Nigeria must move beyond modest reductions in commercial lending rates and develop more accessible, long-term industrial finance for productive sectors.

Without affordable credit, efforts to increase local manufacturing, reduce building-material costs, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products could remain constrained.

The post Nigerian Factories Still Borrow Above 30% Despite Modest Rate Decline appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Five members of the same family, comprising a mother and four of her children, have died following the collapse of part of a residential building in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The incident occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday at No. 41 Popo Giwa Street, beside Gogoro Mosque, in the Masalasi Gogoro area of Ilorin West Local Government Area.

Eight members of the family were reportedly inside the affected section of the building when it collapsed, trapping them beneath the rubble.

Emergency responders initially reported four fatalities and four survivors. Subsequent reports indicated that the death toll had risen to five, leaving three surviving members of the family.

The father, identified as a serving military officer who was on medical leave, was among those rescued alive. He was reportedly preparing to perform ablution when the building collapsed.

Rescue workers said a wooden component of the old structure prevented a heavy pillar from falling directly on him. Responders dug through the debris before pulling him to safety.

A child identified as Firdaus was also rescued from the collapsed structure, while the injured survivors were taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Kwara State Fire Service said it received a distress call at about 5:00 a.m. and immediately deployed personnel to the scene. An excavator was later brought in to assist with removing the rubble and reaching those trapped.

The Public Relations Officer of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, said the operation required the combined efforts of several emergency and security agencies.

Personnel from the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Federal and State Fire Services, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Red Cross and health services participated in the rescue operation.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said preliminary findings showed that the collapsed section was attached to the main building.

Occupants of the remaining structure were evacuated as a precaution, pending a comprehensive assessment of its structural condition.

The fire service said the cause of the collapse had not been established and warned against speculation until a proper technical investigation was completed.

Representing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the scene, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, described the incident as tragic and conveyed the state government’s condolences to the bereaved family.

Olohungbebe stressed the importance of complying with building and town-planning regulations, particularly requirements for access roads that enable emergency responders to reach distressed buildings quickly.

Ilorin West Local Government Chairman, AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan, also urged residents to report visible structural defects and evacuate buildings whenever they notice cracks, unusual movements or other warning signs.

Authorities said a structural inspection would determine whether the remaining part of the building was safe for occupation or required further action.

The tragedy has renewed concerns over the condition of ageing residential buildings and the need for regular structural integrity assessments across Nigeria.

The post Five Family Members Killed as Residential Building Collapses in Ilorin appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

FirstBank, in collaboration with the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), has highlighted opportunities for Nigerians to access affordable mortgage financing as part of efforts to reduce the country’s housing deficit and improve access to homeownership.

The financial institutions made this known during a home loan webinar themed, “Beyond Rent: The Path to Home Ownership Leveraging FirstBank-MREIF Home Loan Scheme to Build Long-Term Wealth.”

The webinar was aimed at informing Nigerians in both the formal and informal sectors about available mortgage opportunities and how they can use the scheme to finance homeownership.

Under the FirstBank-MREIF home loan scheme, eligible applicants can access mortgages with repayment periods of up to 20 years at a fixed interest rate of 9.75 per cent per annum, subject to applicable terms and eligibility requirements.

The webinar also highlighted the broader opportunities provided through MREIF, an initiative of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which seeks to expand access to long-term mortgage financing and address Nigeria’s housing deficit.

The fund ultimately aims to mobilise up to N1 trillion to expand mortgage access and support housing development across the country.

Speaking during the webinar, FirstBank’s Head of Personal Banking, Chukwuka Okonkwo, said the partnership was designed to broaden access to mortgage financing and contribute to closing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Okonkwo said FirstBank’s extensive branch network and digital lending platforms provided the bank with the capacity to support Nigerians seeking to own homes.

He said the bank had also established partnerships with developers across several states after conducting research to identify properties that qualify for mortgage financing.

According to him, the bank intends to extend the mortgage opportunity to Nigerians in the diaspora and provide an end-to-end homeownership solution.

He said the partnership with MREIF would help ensure that the scheme reaches Nigerians across several states.

FirstBank’s Head of Security Documentation and Transactional Support, Legal Services, Uzoamaka Ihegazie, also explained the measures the bank takes to protect customers through proper property documentation.

She said the bank verifies property ownership and land documentation before financing is provided.

According to her, the process includes obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy, charting the survey plan to establish that the land is properly allocated for residential purposes and conducting title verification.

She said these documentation and verification processes were necessary to protect customers and prevent ownership-related problems after they take possession of their properties.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Sales and Investment, Leadway Pensure, Oluwafemi Adebayo, commended FirstBank for providing Nigerians with an opportunity to access mortgage financing.

He said access to homeownership was particularly important for Nigerians preparing for retirement, while also highlighting the possibility of using Retirement Savings Account pension schemes to procure property and create wealth.

The National Coordinator of MREIF, Sani Yakubu, said the fund was established to address Nigeria’s housing deficit by making long-term, low-cost mortgages available to average citizens while also stimulating activity in the construction sector.

Yakubu said many Nigerians had already benefited from the initiative and encouraged more eligible Nigerians to apply.

The post FirstBank, MREIF Promote Long-Term Mortgages to Help Nigerians Own Homes appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has backed Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, over his call for economic policies that would improve the earning capacity and living conditions of young Nigerians.

NYCN Lagos Chairman, Mr Adigun Ibrahim, made the position known in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, saying the council agreed that stronger incomes were essential to helping young people cope with rising housing and living costs.

Ibrahim said the challenge facing young workers extended beyond employment opportunities to whether their earnings were sufficient to support independent living. He noted that rent and other essential expenses were placing increasing pressure on young people whose incomes had not kept pace with the cost of living.

Hamzat had argued that improving the economy should include creating conditions that allow citizens, particularly young people, to earn more. He also pointed to the reliance of many young workers on parents and relatives for accommodation, especially at the early stages of their careers.

According to the deputy governor, controlling the cost of essential goods and services should be part of efforts to improve living conditions. The comments highlight the connection between household purchasing power and access to housing, particularly for workers attempting to establish independent households.

READ ALSO : Taraba Takes Delivery of 188 Federal Housing Units, Promises Transparent Allocation

Ibrahim said NYCN welcomed the emphasis on affordability but stressed that assistance from family members should serve as a temporary support system rather than a substitute for economic and housing policies that enable young people to live independently.

The council called for greater investment in affordable housing, improved wages, decent employment and economic programmes targeted at young people. It also advocated wider access to housing finance to help young workers obtain decent accommodation without placing excessive pressure on their incomes.

The issue has broader implications for Nigeria’s housing sector because housing affordability is closely tied to income levels and access to finance. Even where housing supply exists, workers may struggle to secure suitable accommodation when rents, transport costs and other household expenses consume a large share of their earnings.

For the mortgage and housing finance market, the NYCN position also points to the importance of creating financing options that reflect the realities of younger workers. Access to suitable housing finance can be difficult when income is low or unstable, limiting the ability of many potential buyers to transition from renting to homeownership.

Ibrahim said policies should not require young Nigerians to reduce their ambitions because of economic constraints. Instead, he argued that government and other stakeholders should work toward an economy in which young people can earn enough to pursue independent lives and meet basic needs.

The NYCN chairman commended Hamzat for connecting discussions about youth welfare with earnings, housing and broader economic conditions. He also reaffirmed the council’s willingness to work with the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders on measures aimed at improving economic opportunities and living conditions for young Nigerians.

The wider significance of the discussion lies in the relationship between employment, income and housing affordability. For Nigeria’s growing young population, sustainable access to decent housing will depend not only on increasing housing supply but also on creating economic conditions that give workers the purchasing power and financing capacity to afford it.

The post NYCN Backs Hamzat on Youth Earnings, Affordable Housing appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Federal Government has formally transferred 188 completed housing units to the Taraba State Government as part of efforts to expand access to affordable homes and reduce Nigeria’s housing shortage.

The houses, constructed in Jalingo under the National Housing Programme, were handed over to the state government during a ceremony at the Government House.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqa Rabe Darma, presented the housing units to Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, were also present at the ceremony.

Darma said the delivery formed part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to providing decent and affordable accommodation through the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda.

He described housing as an essential human need, stressing that completed government-funded housing projects must be occupied and put to productive use rather than remain vacant.

According to the minister, direct acquisition by state governments could accelerate the allocation of completed federal housing units to Nigerians.

He said the model would enable states to distribute the houses to eligible beneficiaries, including civil servants, security personnel, working families and other residents requiring decent accommodation.

The minister commended the Taraba State Government for acquiring the 188 units, noting that the decision would ensure the houses were allocated without unnecessary delays.

Beyond increasing the supply of homes, the Federal Government said its housing programme was designed to generate employment in the construction industry and facilitate the emergence of sustainable communities.

Receiving the houses on behalf of the state, Governor Kefas thanked the Federal Government and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for the intervention.

He described the handover as an important contribution to Taraba’s efforts to improve access to affordable housing.

Kefas assured prospective beneficiaries that the state government would introduce a transparent allocation process to ensure the properties reached those who genuinely needed them.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development encouraged other state governments to consider adopting a similar acquisition model.

It explained that the approach could reduce the number of completed but unoccupied government houses while accelerating their transfer to citizens.

The 188 homes form part of the National Housing Programme implemented across the federation. The programme complements the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates initiative, which places emphasis on affordability, quality, accessibility and increased housing delivery.

The handover marks another step in the government’s attempt to move completed housing units from public inventory into active occupation, particularly as Nigeria continues to confront a substantial housing deficit.

The post Taraba Takes Delivery of 188 Federal Housing Units, Promises Transparent Allocation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Pan-African real estate development company, Mixta Africa, has called for a balanced regulatory framework that protects homebuyers while ensuring that credible developers retain access to sustainable construction finance.

The company expressed support for the Federal Government’s proposed National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy and the planned establishment of a National Housing Industry Regulatory Commission.

Mixta Africa said the reforms could improve transparency, strengthen consumer protection and restore confidence in Nigeria’s housing market if they are supported by clear and enforceable implementation standards.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tola Akinsulire, described the proposed licensing and escrow requirements as important measures for reducing the risks faced by Nigerians purchasing homes, particularly through off-plan arrangements.

He, however, cautioned that keeping buyers’ payments in escrow accounts would not be sufficient unless the release of funds was tied to independently verified construction progress.

According to Akinsulire, qualified building professionals should certify that developers have completed agreed project milestones before money is released. The verification process, he added, should be governed by clear standards and supported by an auditable record.

“Independent verification creates a clear link between construction progress, fund release and accountability,” he said.

The company noted that off-plan payments have traditionally provided a significant portion of the working capital used by legitimate developers to execute housing projects. Consequently, restricting access to such payments without creating alternative financing arrangements could affect housing delivery.

Akinsulire explained that although escrow arrangements could safeguard subscribers’ money, they could not independently provide the capital required to undertake construction.

He urged the government and financial institutions to develop appropriately structured and competitively priced construction finance products for credible developers operating under the proposed regulatory framework.

“Escrow can protect the homebuyer, but escrow on its own does not finance construction,” he said.

Mixta Africa warned that reforms designed to protect consumers must be carefully implemented to avoid slowing down the development of new homes or worsening Nigeria’s housing supply challenges.

The firm called for sustained consultations involving the Federal Government, financial institutions, property developers, professional bodies and other housing industry stakeholders.

It said collaboration among these groups would help establish a framework that combines strong consumer protection, responsible project management, effective regulatory oversight and adequate construction financing.

Mixta Africa maintained that the success of the proposed reforms would ultimately depend on whether the government could translate them into practical and enforceable standards.

According to the company, a properly designed regulatory system could make Nigeria’s housing sector more transparent, sustainable and attractive to investors while protecting buyers and supporting the continued delivery of new homes.

The post Mixta Africa Seeks Balanced Housing Regulation to Protect Buyers, Boost Project Funding appeared first on Housing TV Africa.