As Africa’s real estate sector continues its digital transformation, fintech and digital payment platforms are emerging as critical enablers of trust, accountability, and transparency in the rental economy.
Despite rapid urbanization and the growth of online property platforms, many housing transactions across the continent still rely on manual, cash-based systems — a process often plagued by fraud, delays, and disputes between tenants and property owners.
To tackle these challenges, emerging proptech firms are adopting fintech-driven escrow payment systems, which hold tenant funds securely until landlords or agents deliver on their commitments. This model not only ensures service integrity but also builds long-term confidence in digital housing transactions.
One of the innovators driving this change is Virety, a property technology company that integrates verified property listings with geospatial intelligence to improve data accuracy and transaction safety. In an exclusive interview with Nairametrics, Olayinka Olamilehin, Founder and CEO of Virety, discussed how technology is reshaping Africa’s property market — from digital payments to data-driven decision-making.
Olamilehin explained: “Fintech solutions are not just simplifying payments; they are redefining trust in the property ecosystem. By using escrow systems, we ensure both tenants and property owners are protected — payments are released only when obligations are met.”
Beyond payments, Olamilehin emphasized the growing role of geospatial intelligence and data analytics in enhancing precision, reducing logistical costs, and enabling smarter investment decisions.
“Technology helps investors and home seekers make informed choices based on verified location data, proximity to key infrastructure, and historical property trends,” he noted.
However, he acknowledged that structural barriers such as fragmented property databases, lack of unified regulation, and limited digital verification systems continue to hinder the creation of a continent-wide, verifiable property marketplace.
As Africa’s digital economy matures, stakeholders say fintech integration will be essential not only for improving transparency but also for unlocking billions in untapped real estate value across emerging urban centers.
