Centum and Mi Vida Explore New Funding Route for Housing Projects
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Kenya’s real estate developers are turning to capital markets to solve a long-standing financing challenge. Centum and Mi Vida are exploring asset-backed securities to unlock longer-term funding for property development.
Centum Investment Company and Mi Vida Homes are exploring the use of asset-backed securities to raise long-term capital for real estate projects in Kenya. The proposed financing structure would allow income-generating property assets to support investment instruments that can attract both institutional and retail investors.
The move addresses a major challenge facing developers: the mismatch between short-term financing available in the market and the long development timelines required for housing projects. Asset-backed securities could provide a more suitable funding model by linking investor returns to cash flows generated from completed properties.
Centum and Mi Vida believe the approach could diversify funding options beyond traditional loans and support large-scale housing delivery. The initiative follows growing interest in alternative real estate investment vehicles, including REITs, as Kenya’s property sector seeks deeper capital market participation.
If successful, the move could mark a significant shift in how African developers finance housing, bringing property assets closer to mainstream investment markets.