Gatsby Africa

Reengineering urban construction with regenerative materials 

East Africa’s cities are growing faster than formal housing supply. At the same time, construction costs remain high and many developments depend on imported, carbon intensive materials. Gatsby Africa is helping transform this model by advancing industrial-scale bio-based construction systems designed specifically for African urban markets. Working with manufacturers, regulators and developers, Gatsby Africa is building local supply chains for engineered timber and other regenerative materials that can reduce costs, shorten build times, lower carbon emissions and create skilled jobs. 

A central part of the approach is investing in local institutions and industry capacity, ensuring expertise and economic value remain within the region. Gatsby Africa partners with entrepreneurs, SMEs and government agencies to build sustainable industries where opportunities and benefits flow directly to East Africans through jobs, skills development and economic empowerment. By reshaping how construction materials are produced, financed and approved, Gatsby Africa is contributing to a new model of city building, one that is lower carbon, locally anchored and commercially viable. 

Learn more about their approach at gatsbyafrica.org.uk