Enabling factors for modular construction methods in developing economies: towards broader adoption in the Global South

Purpose Modular construction methods (MCM) have achieved global acknowledgement as a sustainable and effective substitute for conventional construction techniques. Although advanced economies have experienced a rise in adoption, numerous developing nations, especially in the Global South, continue to face challenges with insufficient implementation. This gap highlights the necessity to examine the enabling variables that can promote broader adoption. This study analyses the principal enablers of MCM implementation within the construction industries of Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa to promote the wider integration of modular systems. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative study design was employed, utilising a standardised questionnaire disseminated to construction experts in three countries. The data analysis encompassed mean-score ranking, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE), offering a multidimensional viewpoint on the prioritisation of enablers. Findings The findings highlighted essential enablers, including research, development and innovation; the creation of a supportive industrial environment; policy incentives to attract skilled experts; and improved communication across the AEC industry. Further analysis yielded five principal enabler groupings: strategic policy support, capacity building and knowledge sharing, infrastructure integration, economic flexibility and stakeholder benchmarking. Practical implications These categories provide a structured foundation for addressing institutional, financial and technical barriers to MCM adoption and they contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable construction by advancing practical approaches for mainstreaming MCM in rapidly urbanising regions of the Global South. Originality/value This study advances MCM enabler research by providing a comparative analysis that integrates factor analysis with FSE to prioritise enablers while accounting for uncertainty in expert judgement, resulting in empirically grounded enabler groupings that support structured decision-making in developing economies.