President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Project is no longer just a Kenyan dream. It is now shaping the ambitions of other African nations eager to tackle urban poverty and housing shortages.
Ruto has turned an idea first tested in 2017 into a national flagship programme that is winning global recognition. His financing model, driven by the Housing Levy, has already drawn the attention of Ghana and Ethiopia. For the first time, Kenya’s local mobilisation strategy is setting a benchmark for development across the continent.
Affordable Housing Project Transforms Kenya Into a Continental Model
When President William Ruto took office, the Affordable Housing Project looked like another stalled government promise. Initially launched in 2017, the programme gained momentum in 2023 after the introduction of the Housing Levy. Under this law, salaried Kenyans contribute 1.5 per cent of their gross income toward housing development.
The levy has since changed the face of urban settlements in Kenya. More than 170,000 units have already been constructed, while over 700,000 remain in the pipeline. The government has raised the equivalent of $4 billion from citizens’ contributions, proving that development can be achieved without relying entirely on foreign loans.
For Ruto, this is more than a housing plan. It is a political statement that Africans can mobilise their own resources and deliver world-class projects. His government’s approach mirrors Ethiopia’s success in financing the Grand Renaissance Dam, a multi-billion-dollar undertaking completed through domestic funding.
The political impact is undeniable. Ruto has placed Kenya at the centre of an African conversation on sustainable housing and infrastructure. At the same time, his policies are winning admiration from fellow leaders.
Ghana Looks to Kenya for Guidance
Ghana has become the first African nation to openly declare its intention to borrow from Kenya’s housing strategy. On September 24, Ghanaian President John Mahama lauded Ruto’s vision, singling out the Affordable Housing Project and the Hustler Fund as models worth copying.
Mahama admitted that he personally consulted Ruto on how to raise funds for Ghana’s own housing programme. He described Kenya’s financing system as a practical roadmap for African countries battling debt and limited external funding.
“I am impressed by the effort that my brother in Kenya is making to provide affordable houses. I asked President Ruto how he is affording the project. So he is giving me a few tips which I hope I will go back to Ghana with,” Mahama told delegates.
The statement underlines Kenya’s growing soft power in Africa. Instead of borrowing directly from Western lenders or depending on donor agencies, nations like Ghana are now exploring homegrown models inspired by Kenya.
Global Recognition Strengthens Ruto’s Position
Ruto’s project has not only caught Africa’s attention but also earned him international recognition. On September 24, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he was named the Global Champion of Adequate Housing for All.
The recognition came during a high-level roundtable on Affordable Housing, attended by African leaders such as Ghana’s John Mahama and Botswana’s Duma Boko. For Ruto, the award is validation that Kenya’s model can be replicated beyond the continent.
The political dividends are clear. Ruto is now branding himself as a continental reformer whose leadership is not limited to Kenya. His domestic reforms are turning into a diplomatic currency, positioning him as one of Africa’s strongest voices on development.
President Ruto’s Affordable Housing Project has shifted from being a local solution to a continental template. The decision to finance housing through citizen contributions has changed the political conversation in Africa. It has offered an alternative to dependency on foreign loans and aid, while delivering tangible results at home.
Ghana’s interest, Ethiopia’s comparisons, and global recognition at the UN show that Ruto’s strategy is gaining traction. Whether the momentum continues will depend on Kenya’s ability to complete the planned 700,000 units and sustain public trust in the levy.
Still, the message is clear. Africa is watching Kenya, and Ruto has set a new standard for leadership through the Affordable Housing Project.
