Introduction

Africa’s real estate industry is booming, and booming very fast. Data shows that Africa’s commercial real estate space is a $15 trillion industry, approximately 5 times the value of the continent’s GDP. Yet compared to other regions, Africa's real estate market is very underdeveloped, with one of the biggest challenges being inefficiency. However, the rapid rise in Proptech is massively driving innovation and efficiency in real estate, changing how properties are developed, managed, and experienced.

Although still in its early stages, Africa’s Proptech ecosystem is growing fast. Startups are emerging with localized solutions that tackle regional challenges like land ownership, and the growing demand for affordable housing. These solutions are attracting the attention of both local and international investors looking to be a part of the booming digital infrastructure in real estate today. Investors' trust continues to rise as the market demonstrates immense growth potential with technology driving the needed efficiency, and long-term scalability across the real estate industry.

The Rise of Proptech in Africa

Proptech is gradually becoming the backbone of Africa’s real estate operations, modernizing the real estate space that was once associated with being archaic and inefficient. Across the continent, more than 75 Proptech startups have emerged, indicating a shift towards digitization. Mubawab in Morocco eases property search and valuation through listing services. In Nigeria, Small Small and PropertyPro help address lack of access and affordability, enabling flexible renting and simplifying property search for millions of urban residents.

The adoption of startups in Africa may still be in its early stages, but there is no denying the fact that it is growing. This growth reveals a growing recognition that the future of real estate in Africa depends on smart technology. The first half of 2024 saw over $2 million raised in Africa's proptech sector, although funding is lower compared to 2023’s with over $9.4 million raised in the first quarter. Still, there is continued investor interest. Nawy, founded in Egypt in 2019, has rapidly grown into Africa's largest real estate technology company, closing 2024 with more than $1.4 billion in gross merchandise value and a monthly user base exceeding one million

These platforms demonstrate how Proptech is developing into a core part of Africa’s real estate industry making the sector more attractive to both local and international investors.

Investment and Funding Momentum

The rise in proptech across Africa has already been established. In fact, to put things into perspective, in the first half of 2024, African proptech raised just $2 million. Comparing that to 2025, that number jumped to $75 million. This represents a 3,650% increase, which is enough indication that investor confidence in the sector is peaking.

It is safe to assume that the rise in funding is proof that investors view proptech in Africa as a viable and scalable ecosystem ready for sustained growth. Investors now prioritize platforms with proven models, clear regulatory alignment, and measurable impact on housing access and urban development.

The increased influx of capital experienced this year in proptech brings greater sustainability to the sector. With more resources, startups can strengthen their infrastructure, enhance product reliability, and scale across new markets.

Success Story In African Proptech 

Like the popular idiom goes, "Necessity is the mother of invention”. For Nawy’s CEO, Mostafa El Beltagy, that necessity came when he tried to buy property in Egypt. Despite his experience working in different countries, he discovered there was no easy way to explore real estate options without physically visiting each developer, going through their brochures, and asking their sales rep questions. A solution he considered to be quite ineffective.

This flaw became an opportunity for him. A solution that once started as a simple property listings website has now grown into Africa’s largest Proptech platform, redefining how people buy, sell, and manage real estate.

Today, Nawy is a full ecosystem that covers every part of the property journey. Nawy Shares offers fractional ownership, allowing users to invest in real estate with smaller amounts. Nawy Now provides “Move Now, Pay Later” mortgage financing to make homeownership easier. Nawy Unlocked manages property finishing, asset management, and rental services. Nawy Partnershelps brokers sell properties by offering them the option to receive either the same commission rate as Nawy's sales team or their current commission paid immediately.

This growth story is remarkable. In just four years, Nawy’s revenue in U.S. dollars has grown more than 50 times, even as the Egyptian pound lost 69% of its value. Nawy proves that there is a huge future for the proptech industry in Africa.

Core Areas of Innovation

Across Africa, real estate is becoming smarter and more efficient through digital tools that make management and living easier.

• Estate and Facilities Management
  Estate managers can now handle daily tasks in one place, like fixing maintenance issues to checking visitors and tracking power or water use. This saves time, reduces errors, and makes residents happier.
• Property Listings and Transactions
  Buying or renting property is becoming simpler and safer. Fewer incidents of property scam with the rise of proptech solutions across the continent. Online platforms show verified listings, help users compare options, and handle digital paperwork. This leads to fewer middlemen, faster decisions, and less risk of fraud.
• Integrated Security and Smart Automation
  Security is now built into estate systems. Smart sensors, CCTV, and automated gates protect residents and help managers stay alert. A great example is Sylogate’s estate management app, which combines security, daily operations, and community forum. It keeps estates safe, organized, and more connected.
• Financial and Data Transparency
  Digital tools now help track rent payments and financial records. Dashboards show how estates are performing and where money goes. This builds trust among residents and investors, showing that management is accountable and data-driven.
  
  

Together, these innovations are shaping a real estate sector that runs smarter, safer, and more transparently than ever before.

Overcoming Barriers to Adoption

Proptech’s growth in Africa shows huge potential, but its progress isn’t without challenges. In Kenya, for example, digital transformation in real estate is blooming, yet many citizens, especially those in rural areas, still struggle with limited internet access, high data costs, and low digital literacy. Without the skills or tools to engage with property platforms, a huge section of the population remains excluded from the benefits of Proptech.

Also, real estate in Africa faces deeper structural issues such as access to finance, with high interest rates and few mortgage options, as well as land ownership disputes, unclear title deeds, and infrastructure gaps like unreliable electricity and poor road networks. These challenges slow adoption and limit the scalability of digital solutions across the continent

The Path Forward

Despite these hurdles, Africa’s Proptech future remains bright. Every challenge is opening the door to innovation and partnership. Governments, startups, and private institutions are beginning to work together to close these gaps. One approach that could gain momentum is the creation of low-cost property management apps designed specifically for small-scale landlords in rural areas. These platforms help bridge the digital divide and expand access to Proptechsolutions.

Traditional real estate players are also getting involved. Nedbank’s partnership with API Events for the Africa Proptech Forum, Profica’s collaboration with Proptech Africa, and Pam Golding’s acquisition of the online agency Eazi show how legacy institutions are embracing digital transformation to stay competitive.

For long-term progress, policy support will be very essential. Governments can unlock Proptech’s full potential by creating frameworks that promote innovation in housing finance, enable open access to property data, and protect digital transactions. With flexible regulation and more inclusive technology, Africa’s Proptech ecosystem can move beyond early adoption and become a major driver of real estate growth across the continent.

Conclusion

Africa’s Proptech revolution is happening before us. What began as small, experimental startups have evolved into massive projects that transform how properties are built, bought, and managed. With billions in untapped market potential, and a growing appetite for digital efficiency, Africa’s real estate sector is entering its most exciting phase yet.

The increase in funding innovation in property management, and success stories like Nawy, show that Proptech is the future of African real estate. Challenges such as limited internet access and financing gaps still exist, but collaboration between government, private players, and startups is steadily curbing those barriers efficiently. As digital tools continue to bring transparency, automation, and accessibility to property ownership, Africa is proving that technology can be an integral part of real estate.