Huge housing deficit across Africa, running into tens of millions. It is estimated that informal (irrecoverable) housing accounts for more than 75% of total dwelling units in Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest proportion of slum dwellers at 61.7% in 2010 and the highest urban and slum growth rates of all the regions in the world. There are serious human and institutional capacity shortages in dealing with the rapid pace of urbanization and the menace of slum growth; Most formal housing units are not affordable for the majority of Africans. Factors responsible for high house prices include:- land allocation costs – the high cost of funding – the high cost of building materials (cement, steel) & price fluctuation – high dependence on imported materials – prevalence of traditional building technology – logistical challenges, and the dearth of skilled artisans. Conventional housing finance in Africa is undeveloped and seldom serves low-income households.