Real Estate

imported 2024-03-17 17:43:07

Affordable Housing in Kenya: How Unity Homes Is Setting New Quality Standards Transforming Tatu City and Beyond

July 24, 2025

The interview with Jason Horsey, Executive Director of Unity Homes, offers a comprehensive overview of one of the leading residential real estate developers in Kenya. Founded in 2015, Unity Homes has established itself as a major player in affordable housing in Kenya, with a strong footprint in Tatu City and expansion into Nigeria through its sister brand, Universal Homes Nigeria.

Initially known for building affordable homes priced between KES 5 to 10 million, Unity Homes is now diversifying into premium real estate, such as the Silverhill project, inspired by London townhouses. With over 2,000 completed homes and 1,500 under construction, their developments include Unity West, Unity East, Unity One, and Unity Parkside, located in the master-planned Tatu City real estate zone. Projects like Unity West apartments and Unity East housing offer two- and three-bedroom options with world-class amenities such as parks, gyms, pools, and community spaces.

The company’s hallmark is its vertically integrated model. Unlike other real estate developers in Kenya who outsource key functions, Unity Homes has internalized architecture, engineering, and construction, allowing it to deliver high-quality homes with over 2,000 quality checks per apartment. The use of international HSE standards, implemented by a former Halliburton expert, sets them apart in real estate development in Nairobi and across East Africa.

A notable focus is Unity Homes’ commitment to serving the Kenyan diaspora real estate market. With 60% of local sales and up to 80% of Nigerian sales coming from diaspora investors, the company offers secure, trust-driven investment options for those seeking safe real estate investments in Kenya. Through partnerships with Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC), Unity is also promoting subsidized mortgage products for affordable housing buyers, particularly in projects like Unity One.

Unity’s strategic vision includes scaling up through large-scale, integrated estates that support live-work-play real estate development models. Future plans include developing 3,000 to 5,000 homes in real estate development in Unity West and coastal areas, supported by clean land titles as found in Tatu City and Nigeria’s Lekki Free Trade Zone, where Universal Homes Nigeria is delivering 576 apartments aimed at investors.

From buying off-plan apartments in Kenya to securing real estate investment opportunities in Nairobi, Unity Homes continues to raise the bar in high-quality homes with excellent rental yields and strong capital appreciation — a compelling option for both homeowners and investors. With amenities that foster safe, family-friendly living environments and the backing of community initiatives like the “Our Community Foundation,” the company creates not just houses but vibrant ecosystems.

Kenneth Mbae on How Centum Real Estate is Transforming East Africa with Smart, Green Cities

July 20, 2025

The interview with Kenneth Mbae, Managing Director of Centum Real Estate, provides an in-depth look at how the company is shaping the future of real estate in East Africa through innovative, large-scale, mixed-use developments. With over 57 years of experience in the sector, Centum has positioned itself as a leading real estate developer in Kenya, Uganda, and across the region, committed to delivering sustainable, lifestyle-oriented housing and commercial infrastructure.

Centum Real Estate focuses on building model cities that integrate residential homes, commercial spaces, industrial hubs, and green infrastructure. Their developments are anchored in areas experiencing rapid urban growth, guided by demographic and infrastructural data. A hallmark of their strategy is the creation of affordable luxury homes and IFC Edge-certified green buildings that reduce energy and water consumption, lowering the total cost of homeownership.

From flagship projects like Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi, the region’s largest shopping mall, to Ping’o City at the coast and Balmarina Resort City on the shores of Lake Victoria, Centum is redefining urban living. These sustainable real estate developments feature townhouses, apartments, bungalows, and high-rise residential buildings, alongside offices, retail malls, and industrial parks.

Centum’s housing portfolio caters to three main segments:

Affordable homes (USD 20,000–100,000), including projects like Mzizi, Cascadia, and Roft,

Mid-market homes (USD 100,000–200,000),

High-end housing (above USD 200,000) in prime locations across Nairobi, Vipingo, and Uganda.

The company also offers serviced plots within master-planned communities, appealing to real estate investors in East Africa who want flexibility with infrastructure-ready land.

A major competitive advantage for Centum is its ability to combine cost-effective construction with bankable, high-quality products in strategic urban locations. Through financial partnerships, the company facilitates access to mortgage financing, supports off-plan buyers, and reduces project cycles using modern construction technologies.

Looking ahead, Centum Real Estate plans to expand into other African markets, including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia, in response to a growing regional housing deficit. With an annual shortfall of over 200,000 units in Kenya alone, Centum is uniquely positioned to deliver investment-ready, scalable housing solutions.

Kenneth Mbae emphasizes the importance of green, sustainable urban developments and calls on real estate investors to seize the vast untapped opportunities in the region. With high rental yields in Nairobi, rising demand, and strong fundamentals, East Africa offers one of the most attractive real estate landscapes globally.

Aaron Tawiah on Building Estaaron Ventures: From Cement Distribution to Real Estate in Ghana

July 9, 2025

In this in-depth interview, Aaron Tawiah, CEO of Estaaron Ventures Limited, shares the inspiring journey of building one of Ghana’s leading construction materials suppliers and real estate developers. Starting in 2010 with just two containers and a small shop, Estaaron Ventures has grown into a major cement distributor in Ghana, with over 17 branches nationwide and plans to reach 20 by year-end.

Aaron explains how his background working at Krane Construction Limited shaped his understanding of the construction industry in Ghana, enabling Estaaron to provide expert guidance on building materials, cement supply, iron rods, and construction project management. The company is recognized as a major CIMAF cement distributor in Ghana and a partner of Fabrimetal iron rods, ensuring quality from sourcing to delivery.

Beyond supplying building materials in Ghana, Estaaron has expanded into real estate development. Their projects include townhouses in Accra, studio apartments in Accra, and future developments in Spintex and Aburi. The company’s estates promote green real estate in Ghana, with features like solar-powered estates, biogas waste treatment plants, and energy-efficient housing.

Estaaron Ventures aims to deliver affordable housing in Ghana, targeting price ranges of GHS 100,000–130,000 while maintaining quality. The estates include high-end amenities such as restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, and 24/7 janitorial services. Aaron emphasizes honesty and transparency in real estate, ensuring that what is marketed matches the final build.

He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in Ghana’s real estate market, including the impact of the cedi’s fluctuations on property pricing and real estate investment. The company is exploring real estate projects in Dubai, aiming to replicate their townhouse concept design and space-conscious architecture in the UAE market.

Estaaron Ventures places strong value on partnerships and customer service in construction supply, offering prompt delivery and building long-term relationships with cement retailers, building contractors in Ghana, and individual customers. Their five-year strategic vision includes expanding to 50 branches, growing their affordable homes portfolio, and deepening partnerships with Republic Bank Ghana and Ghana Home Loans to finance mortgage solutions in Ghana.

“دهانات الجزيرة” شريك المشاريع الكبرى نحو تحقيق مستقبل مستدام ومزدهر تماشياً مع رؤية 2030 بصمة تميّز في مشاريع السعودية العملاقة

June 24, 2025

تقدم “دهانات الجزيرة” الشركة الرائدة في صناعة الدهانات والألوان والحلول الإنشائية في المملكة والشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا بصمة مميزة في كل مشروع عمراني كبير، وتواصل تعزيز مكانتها كشريك استراتيجي رئيسي في تطوير المشهد العمراني في المملكة العربية السعودية، حيث تقدم حلولاً مبتكرة ذات جودة استثنائية تجمع بين الجمال والاستدامة.

من خلال مشاركتها في مشاريع ضخمة وحيوية، تساهم “دهانات الجزيرة” في تحقيق رؤية المملكة العربية السعودية 2030، حيث تُعدّ جزءاً أساسياً من بناء بيئة حضرية حديثة ومستدامة تتماشى مع متطلبات النمو والتطور المعماري.

“Jazeera Paints” A Trusted Partner in Landmark Projects Driving Vision 2030 A Signature of Excellence in Saudi Arabia’s Mega Projects

June 24, 2025

“Jazeera Paints”, the leading company in the industry of paints, colors and construction solutions in KSA and MENA, continues to leave its distinctive mark on major urban development projects. The company strengthens its position as a strategic partner in shaping Saudi Arabia’s architectural landscape, offering innovative, high-quality solutions that blend beauty with sustainability.

Through its involvement in large-scale and critical infrastructure projects, “Jazeera Paints” plays a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, contributing to the creation of modern, sustainable urban environments that meet the demands of rapid growth and architectural advancement.

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