Abstract
This study examined the role of diaspora remittances in financing affordable housing and bridging the urban housing deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa. With urban populations growing rapidly, the region faces an estimated housing shortage of over 50 million units, while diaspora remittances exceeded 45 billion US dollars annually in 2025, representing a potentially significant but underultilised source of funding for housing projects. Using a descriptive research design and secondary data from government housing agencies, international financial databases, and migration reports, the study assessed remittance inflows, housing project financing, and deficit trends across selected Sub-Saharan African countries. The findings reveal that diaspora remittances contribute between 5 and 12 percent of funding for affordable housing projects, with smaller economies such as Ghana and Senegal experiencing proportionally greater impact compared to larger countries like Nigeria, where remittances cover less than 8 percent of the urban housing gap. Key challenges identified included high transaction costs, weak regulatory frameworks, low trust in local financial institutions, and limited awareness of structured investment opportunities among diaspora communities. The study also highlighted social and cultural barriers that affect long-term investment commitment. Strategies for effective mobilisation of diaspora resources include implementing diaspora bonds, enhancing digital remittance platforms, promoting public-private partnerships, and providing targeted policy incentives such as tax relief and investment guarantees. Based on these findings, the study concludes that diaspora remittances can significantly support affordable housing when combined with institutional reforms, financial innovation, and strategic policy frameworks. The research underscored the need for coordinated efforts by governments, developers, and diaspora networks to transform remittance flows into sustainable contributions capable of reducing the urban housing deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa.