Institutional interest in South Africa’s affordable housing market is accelerating, with Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) and International Housing Solutions (IHS) recently joining the South African Multifamily Residential Rental Association (Samrra).This shift marks a turning point for the sector, moving from fragmented delivery models to a professionalised, collaborative ecosystem.
While challenges such as slow planning approvals and inadequate infrastructure remain, enabling policies and the possibility of lower interest rates are expected to unlock greater flows of investment into sustainable, well-located housing.
Michael Lenz, CEO of TransBridj, says the environment is ripe for disruption — but also for enablement: “Affordable housing is becoming a strategic asset class, but liquidity gaps continue to delay transactions. At TransBridj, we enable the ecosystem — from sellers and attorneys to realtors and investors — by providing fast, fully digitised bridging funding that ensures deals close without delays. In a market under pressure, speed and reliability are everything.”
Bridging the gap for growth
TransBridj’s digital-first platform covers upfront costs such as rates, levies, and compliance certificates, allowing transfers to proceed seamlessly. By releasing funds within 24 hours of approval, the platform removes transaction bottlenecks that traditionally frustrate the delivery of housing at scale.
This capability complements institutional players like Nedbank CIB and IHS by ensuring that the flow of capital into housing projects translates into actual delivery without delay. It also supports smaller developers, sellers, and buyers who form the foundation of the housing value chain.
A collaborative future
The entry of major financial institutions into Samrra demonstrates that affordable housing is no longer viewed as a marginal segment but as a resilient, investable sector. TransBridj, by enabling liquidity at the ground level, plays a critical role in ensuring that this institutional appetite translates into sustainable, well-located housing accessible to more South Africans.
“As institutional investment grows, so too does the need for innovative enablers that keep the housing pipeline moving,” concludes Lenz. “That’s where TransBridj comes in: a disruptor, yes — but more importantly, an enabler of the ecosystem that will define South Africa’s property future.”