In recent years, there’s been a notable shift in homeownership patterns in several African countries, most clearly in South Africa: women are increasingly buying or building homes, often independently. This transformation is driven by a number of social, economic, legal and cultural factors. In this article, we’ll explore why this is happening, what statistics back it up, and some of the implications for women’s empowerment.
Key Statistics: What the Data Says
Here are some data points, especially from South Africa, that illustrate the trend:
- Women-only buyers own about 38% of all residential properties in South Africa. Joint ownership (female & male) accounts for another ~33%, and men-only account for ~29%. So, combined, women (alone or jointly) own roughly 71% of residential properties.
- As of mid-2025, women own or co-own ~60% of residential properties in SA.
- The number of women applying as the main applicant for home loans has risen. Roughly 40% of home loan main applicants are women, up from about 38% in earlier years.
- Most of the properties bought by women tend to be in more affordable segments (for example, below R750,000 in South Africa), though there is a growing trend of women buying higher-value homes as well.
- In South Africa, single or female-headed households are increasing, and women are frequently the primary income earners in many households. These dynamics also feed into increased home-ownership by women.
What’s Driving This Change: Reasons & Factors
Based on data and qualitative observations, here are several reasons why women are more likely in many cases to buy or build homes:
- Financial and Legal Empowerment
More women have steady incomes, are better educated, and are more aware of legal rights. In places like South Africa, legal reforms and court decisions have strengthened women’s rights to own property, inherit land, or to register property in their names. This gives them clearer pathways to property ownership. - Desire for Stability, Security, and Asset Ownership
Owning a home often offers security — from housing costs, from the uncertainties of rentals, and from societal pressures. Many women see homeownership as a way to ensure that they have a safe place for themselves and their families, especially single mothers or divorced women. - Independence & Breaking with Traditional Roles
As cultural expectations shift, women are less bound by traditional norms that say a man must own or provide the home. Many women now want to be financially independent and see owning their home as part of that independence. - Generational Wealth & Investment
Owning property is one of the most sure ways to build long-term wealth. Even when buying modest homes, property tends to appreciate (depending on location), and also serves as collateral or a foundation for future financial security. Women are increasingly seeing property not just as a place to live but as an investment. - Access to Loans, Subsidies & Credit
Financial institutions are slowly adapting. There are more mortgage products, government-assisted housing schemes, and financial literacy programmes targeted at women. These reduce barriers for women-led purchases. Also, growing awareness of grants or subsidies (where available) helps. - Cultural Shifts & Changing Norms
Societal norms are evolving. It is more acceptable and normal for women to have property in their name. In many places, the stigma around women owning houses is diminishing, and mutual respect for women’s economic agency is increasing.
Real Examples & Context
- South Africa is the clearest example in recent data:
- In 2025, data from Lightstone shows women owned or co-owned a majority of residential properties.
- The share of properties owned solely by women has grown steadily since about 2014-2016, overtaking male-only ownership.
- Women are also increasingly the primary home-loan applicants. In some cases, they are purchasing properties without co-applicants.
- Other African countries: While concrete data is sparser, reports and studies suggest similar though less extreme trends. In many West African and East African countries, women face legal and customary barriers, especially in land inheritance, but in more urban contexts many women are increasingly capable of buying homes, especially in cities. (Note: more robust and up-to-date data outside South Africa is needed.)
Challenges & Inequalities that Remain
Even with this positive trend, there are still many obstacles:
- Price and Affordability Gaps: Women often end up buying lower-value homes than men. This means that while they may own more homes in number, the total value of their portfolios tends to lag men’s.
- Credit Access & Interest Rates: Women may face higher interest rates, stricter loan conditions (often because of less collateral, lower incomes, or gaps in formal credit history).
- Customary Laws & Inheritance Rules: In many rural or traditional settings, women may still be excluded from owning land or inheriting property, even if laws assert equal rights. Social norms often override legal statutes.
- Lack of Financial Literacy & Information: Knowing how to apply for mortgages, how to negotiate purchase terms, and how to save for down payments are all areas where support is sometimes lacking.
- Maintenance & Upkeep Costs: Owning property isn’t just buying — it’s maintaining. Women (especially single owners) may carry more of the burden of repairs, taxation, and fees.
Implications & What This Means for Women
This shift towards women owning more homes has deep implications:
- Economic Empowerment: Property ownership gives women more economic independence and sometimes more leverage in family and community decision making.
- Wealth Building Over Generations: Homes often become part of generational wealth transfer; women owning property means their children (including daughters) are more likely to inherit or benefit from those assets.
- Improved Living Conditions: Owning rather than renting offers stability, ability to improve or customise living spaces, and often better overall security.
- Policy & Market Opportunities: As women become a bigger force in the housing market, there is an opportunity for housing developers, banks, and policymakers to design homes, loans, and support services that meet women’s needs (e.g. safety, proximity to work or schools, affordability).
What Needs to Be Done: Recommendations
To ensure this trend benefits more women and becomes more equitable, here are some recommendations:
- Strengthen Legal Protections & Enforcement
Make sure women’s rights to own, inherit, or co-own property are not just on paper but are enforced, even in customary or rural contexts. - Improve Access to Affordable Financing
Lower down payment requirements, subsidize interest rates, develop loan products tailored for women, especially single women or women with non-traditional income sources. - Promote Financial & Real Estate Literacy
Workshops, public campaigns, mentorships that teach how to save, invest in property, understand mortgage documents, land titles, etc. - Policies & Subsidies
Governments can design housing programmes, grants, and incentives (such as reduced transfer taxes, subsidies for first-time buyers) especially targeting women. - Encourage Equity in Valuation & Purchase Power
Ensure that women are not penalized via higher costs, fees, or restrictions. Also address the earnings gap so women have more purchasing power. - Supportive Infrastructure & Urban Planning
Affordable housing projects, secure neighbourhoods, transport access — these affect the desirability of owning property. Women often prioritize safety, access to schools, clinics, and public transport, so planning must reflect that.
Conclusion
The current trend of women outpacing men in many aspects of homeownership, especially in South Africa, is more than just a statistic — it’s a sign of shifting power, growing financial independence, changing norms, and the increasing role of women as investors, decision-makers, and wealth-builders.
While challenges (like legal barriers, affordability, value gaps) remain, the movement is clear: owning a home is becoming an achievable and increasingly prioritized goal for many women. For women in Africa, this is not simply about owning property — it’s about shaping their futures, securing their families, and building legacies.
