Improved Affordable Housing Finance in Developing Economies by the Advent of Technology: An Assessment of Expert Opinions on Utilities in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The recent impacts of technology and digitalisation on all industrial sectors, including the real estate sector, are significant and cannot be overstated. However, there is a paucity of studies on how technology can improve the provision of affordable housing (AH) in developing economies. While the prevailing challenge of AH provision across the world is an urgent call for innovation in tackling this issue, the recent advent of technology makes it essential to investigate what significant benefits can be derived from employing technology to improve AH provision. It is a practical step to carefully explore expert opinions on the benefits of technology in improving AH finance provision in developing economies. To achieve this, this qualitative study conducted a focus group discussion and semi‐structured interviews with 12 housing experts in Nigeria. Recordings of which were transcribed, coded and analysed with NVivo. Following descriptive, content and thematic analyses of the data, the findings indicate that technology is most useful for record‐keeping, tracking records and proper documentation. Other significant benefits of technology include the introduction of innovations that can improve savings culture towards housing finance and the enhancement of access to loans for housing finance, among other benefits. These insights offer a glimpse into the significant benefits that can be derived from applying technology to enhance AH financing, according to the experts. These insights are informative for all stakeholders interested in AH finance provision, a crucial step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The study's clustered data are vital for future pro‐poor housing research.