Dangote advocates public-private partnerships for mass housing

Dangote Cement Plc has urged stakeholders across Nigeria’s housing ecosystem to intensify support for affordable mass housing schemes, as the country grapples with a growing housing deficit.

Speaking at the ongoing Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), the company’s National Sales Director, Mr. Dolapo Alli, stressed the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration—including government, private developers, non-profits, and community leaders—to develop cost-effective housing solutions for Nigerians.

The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Affordable Housing

According to a statement from Dangote Cement, Alli highlighted the need for the government to adopt Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to fast-track affordable housing development.

“The government can adopt PPP models to initiate the construction of new estates, while companies and firms in the building and construction sector can be granted tax waivers and credits to facilitate the financing of new and affordable housing developments,” he stated.

He acknowledged the Federal Government’s current housing efforts, notably the Renewed Hope Housing Initiative, aimed at making homeownership attainable for low- and middle-income earners. However, he emphasized that the current initiatives must be scaled up to meet the magnitude of the housing demand—estimated in the millions.

Challenges Undermining Affordable Housing in Nigeria

Alli identified a wide range of issues hindering housing delivery in Nigeria, including:

• Rapid urbanization and population growth

• Escalating costs of land acquisition and construction materials

• Lack of basic infrastructure

• Inaccurate housing data

• Limited access to long-term and low-cost financing

• Regulatory bottlenecks and a general knowledge gap in housing development

To overcome these obstacles, he urged all tiers of government to:

• Implement effective and inclusive housing policies

• Make lands available for mass housing projects

• Streamline regulatory frameworks

• Create a supportive investment environment for the private sector

“There is a pressing need for broader collaboration across public and private sectors to unlock innovative financing solutions, streamline regulatory processes, and scale up delivery to meet the growing demand for decent and affordable housing,” he said.

Dangote Cement’s Commitment to Sustainable Housing

As one of the key sponsors of the AIHS, Dangote Cement reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that drive housing solutions in Nigeria and across Africa. The company noted that its continuous support for the event reflects its belief in the AIHS’s impact in generating actionable ideas, facilitating partnerships, and advancing housing accessibility.

The 2025 AIHS, which closes on Friday, August 1, 2025, has attracted industry leaders, policymakers, real estate developers, and experts from across the continent. Themed around making housing more affordable and accessible, the event has served as a critical platform for sharing innovations, discussing sector challenges, and identifying scalable opportunities in the housing space.

A Call for Collective Action

As Nigeria’s housing demand continues to surge, Dangote Cement’s call for budget-friendly mass housing schemes is a timely and necessary appeal. It reinforces the growing need for bold, innovative, and inclusive solutions—rooted in collaboration and long-term planning—to deliver sustainable shelter for millions of Nigerians.