Africa’s real estate market, a billion-dollar one for that matter, has been weighed down by inefficiencies, intransparent pricing and low access to formal finance, however, PropTech, property-focused technology, is bridging the gap between demand and delivery by making digital the real estate value chain. From home discovery to financing and ownership, African startups like NAwy are stepping in with full-stack, tech-driven solutions that could define the next phase of the continent’s property boom.
Real estate in Africa is expanding, but much of the market functions informally, with property listings disorganised, pricing unclear, and financing challenging for many buyers. This friction leads to obstacles for both buyers and developers, hindering economic growth.
PropTech is addressing these challenges directly by digitising listings, simplifying payments, and introducing new ownership models. With the rise of internet access, mobile money, and fintech, the timing for PropTech is perfect. Statista reports that PropTech revenues in Africa are projected to grow by over 12% CAGR through 2028, indicating strong investor confidence and market potential.
NAwy started as a listings platform but quickly evolved into one of Africa’s top PropTech companies. Based in Egypt, it now offers a comprehensive real estate ecosystem that tackles challenges in financing, ownership, property management, and broking.
One of NAwy’s key innovations is Nawy Now, a licensed mortgage product that features a “Move Now, Pay Later” model with flexible monthly payments. This initiative addresses the issue of mortgage accessibility in Africa by partnering with leading banks to secure financing for middle-income buyers. Another significant offering is Nawy Shares, a fractional ownership platform that allows users to invest in premium real estate for as little as $500, effectively lowering the high barriers to property investment.
Additionally, Nawy Unlocked assists homeowners in renovating and monetising unfinished or idle properties, turning dormant assets into income-generating investments. Nawy Partners serves over 3,000 brokers through a B2B platform that provides live inventory, smart dashboards, and tools for optimising commissions.
These solutions collectively provide a seamless digital experience across the entire real estate lifecycle, establishing NAwy as a digital enabler in the sector rather than merely a technology platform. NAwy’s impact is substantial, boasting over 1 million monthly users, exceeding $1.4 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV), achieving an impressive 50x revenue growth over four years, and securing $75 million in Series A funding in 2024.
In Nigeria, Rentranzact is tackling another major friction point in African real estate, rental management. Designed for landlords, property managers, and renters, the platform centralises the entire rental process, from verified property listings and transparent rental histories to automated rent collection, digital receipts, and maintenance reporting. Its “Rent Now, Pay Later” feature addresses affordability by enabling tenants to spread payments over time, while rent insurance protects personal belongings against unforeseen events like fire or theft. With built-in review systems and dedicated customer support, Rentranzact brings much-needed transparency, trust, and efficiency to a traditionally opaque segment of the market, making renting in Nigeria safer, simpler, and more accountable.
For decision-makers in real estate, finance, and related fields like retail and home décor, the message shows that full-stack platforms are the way forward. Addressing just one issue is not enough; consumers expect seamless experiences that cover discovery, financing, and after-sale management. There are increasing partnership opportunities. Furniture brands, payment providers, and insurance companies can connect with PropTech ecosystems to better serve new homeowners.
With companies like NAwy and Rentranzact leading the charge, the PropTech sector is entering a new era defined by digital access, financial inclusion, and smarter urban growth.
