Gives buyers access to up to 105% funding and links them directly with developers early. Absa Bank Kenya commercial property finance director East Africa, Zaharaa Khanbhai with International Housing Solutions (IHS) Kenya MD Kioi Wambaa during the announcement of Absa Bank Kenya as title sponsor for the IHS Kenya Affordable Housing Conference in Nairobi/ HANDOUT ABSA Bank Kenya has unveiled a new developer-led home financing solution (developer off taker proposition) designed to address key structural barriers slowing homeownership and housing delivery in Kenya.
The proposition introduces a market-leading home loan rate of 8.9 per cent per annum and offers financing of up to 105 per cent for qualifying buyers. This comes at a time when Kenya continues to face a housing deficit of over two million units, with annual demand estimated at approximately 250,000 households, against a supply of fewer than 50,000 units.
While demand remains strong, many developments struggle to secure committed buyers early in the project cycle, and prospective homeowners continue to face challenges accessing affordable and flexible financing. Through this new solution, Absa is enabling earlier and more direct engagement between buyers and developers.
According to management, qualifying customers will benefit from competitive financing rates on eligible properties under partner developments, along with mortgage pre-assessments during construction, negotiated legal and valuation support, and a more streamlined home-buying process.
By connecting developers, investors and homebuyers from the outset, the model allows buyers to engage with projects earlier, assess their mortgage eligibility during construction, and access financing tailored to their needs. For developers, this approach improves demand visibility and strengthens project viability by reducing the risk of completed but unoccupied units.
For homebuyers, it opens up access to off-plan opportunities, more flexible payment structures, and the advantages of securing property earlier in the development cycle. Speaking at the International Housing Solutions (IHS) Kenya 2nd Affordable Housing Conference 2026, Absa Bank Kenya managing executive for corporate and investment banking, James Agin, said the country’s housing challenge is less about demand and more about delivery.