Mi Vida Homes Limited has officially announced the signing of a share purchase agreement for a management-led buyout of the business from Actis, the global sustainable infrastructure investor, pending regulatory approval. The buyout marks a major milestone in the company’s journey and underscores the growing maturity of Kenya’s real estate sector, particularly within the affordable and mid-market housing segment.
While the valuation of the transaction remains undisclosed, industry analysts have described the deal as a transformative step for both Mi Vida Homes and the broader housing market in Africa. The move reflects growing investor confidence in institutional housing platforms developed under robust governance and sustainability frameworks, and it positions Mi Vida Homes as a benchmark for locally driven real estate leadership.
Mi Vida Home’s Evolution Over The Years
Created in 2018 as a joint venture focused on developing affordable, sustainable, and mid-market homes, Mi Vida Homes has steadily grown into a recognized brand in Kenya’s real estate ecosystem. The company’s portfolio includes projects such as Mi Vida at Garden City and Amaiya, both of which have been lauded for integrating green design principles and lifestyle-oriented urban planning.
The management-led buyout marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Mi Vida Homes. It demonstrates that institutional residential developers can be successfully incubated, scaled, and developed to investment-grade quality—paving the way for participation in local capital markets. It also validates the business model of combining world-class governance with a deep understanding of local housing needs.
‘MI Vida Homes Is A New Chapter for Institutional Home Builders in Africa’
Samuel Kariuki, CEO of Mi Vida Homes, expressed pride in leading the company into its next chapter, noting that the buyout highlights the viability of institutional home builders in Africa.
“This is the first such transaction involving a residential development platform in our market,” he said. “This milestone marks an important chapter in Mi Vida’s journey and reinforces the viability of institutional home builders in Africa. It demonstrates that institutional home builders can be nurtured to scale in Africa, operating at high standards of ESG and financial discipline.”
Kariuki emphasised that Mi Vida Homes has always sought to deliver high-quality, sustainable housing solutions tailored to the needs of Kenya’s growing urban population. From inception, the firm’s ambition has been to meet pressing local housing needs while offering global investors credible, investment-grade opportunities.
“Today, with a strong balance sheet, a diversified capital base, and a healthy pipeline of projects, we believe we are well-positioned to scale further and deepen our impact as we lead the company into its next phase,” Kariuki added. “We are grateful for Actis’ invaluable role in building a solid investment-grade platform anchored on sustainability and high governance standards.”
How Actis is Building Africa’s Next Generation of Real Estate Leaders
Actis, which has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading investors in sustainable infrastructure, played a foundational role in creating and growing Mi Vida Homes. The firm has been at the forefront of developing institutional-grade real estate platforms across emerging markets, helping to transform Africa’s property landscape from small-scale developments to structured, transparent, and investable platforms.
Louis Deppe, Partner at Actis, noted that the Mi Vida Homes transaction highlights the potential for long-term capital formation in Africa’s real estate sector.
“We believe this transaction highlights the depth of opportunity for long-term capital formation in African real estate and validates the strength of a model where global investors incubate, institutionalise, and ultimately transition platforms to local ownership,” Deppe said. “Actis’ Africa Real Estate business has been a pioneer in evolving from investor-developers to true platform builders and investors in Africa.”
Deppe added that Mi Vida Homes’ success showcases the scalability and investability of Africa’s residential sector, which continues to benefit from strong housing demand and expanding local capital markets. “We have great confidence in the Mi Vida management team and believe their vision, execution capability, and commitment to excellence will drive the platform’s continued success in its next phase of growth,” he said.
Africa’s Growing Real Estate Maturity
For Ravi Rughani, Principal at Actis, the buyout is not just a financial transaction but a validation of the progress made in institutionalising Africa’s real estate industry.
“We are immensely proud of our partnership with Mi Vida Homes and the journey we have undertaken together since inception,” said Rughani. “This transaction is not only a validation of the vision we set out to achieve in 2018 but a clear demonstration of the institutionalisation of Africa’s residential real estate sector.”
Over the past six years, Mi Vida Homes has been transformed into a platform characterized by strong governance, a robust balance sheet, and diversified funding sources. These qualities, Rughani noted, resonate strongly with both domestic and international investors.
“It has been particularly rewarding to witness how Mi Vida has combined disciplined execution with a commitment to sustainability and community impact, setting new benchmarks for affordable and mid-market housing in the region,” he added. “The successful transition of ownership to a management-led consortium underscores the strength of the team and the durability of the platform we have built together.”
Rughani further emphasised that the transaction reflects Actis’ philosophy of building scalable, sustainable businesses that deliver long-term value while addressing critical local needs. “We look forward to watching Mi Vida continue to grow and thrive in its next chapter,” he concluded.
Sustaining a Vision for Green, Affordable Homes in Kenya
Mi Vida Homes has carved a distinct identity as a residential build-to-sell developer focused on affordable and mid-market housing. What sets it apart is its emphasis on sustainability; its projects are green-rated and designed to promote efficient energy use, better waste management, and reduced environmental footprints.
By integrating sustainable design principles with quality construction, Mi Vida Homes has positioned itself as a key player in tackling Kenya’s housing deficit while advancing the country’s green building agenda. The firm’s developments not only provide accessible homes but also contribute to creating healthier and more resilient urban communities.
As the demand for affordable housing continues to rise, driven by rapid urbanisation, a youthful population, and government incentives, Mi Vida Homes’ model could become a blueprint for other African developers seeking to balance profitability with social impact.
A New Phase of Growth and Local Ownership
The management-led buyout marks a symbolic transfer of ownership from global capital to local leadership, signalling growing confidence in African management teams and the region’s investment climate. With a strong pipeline of projects and a leadership team deeply rooted in Kenya’s housing market, Mi Vida Homes is well-positioned to expand its footprint, attract local investors, and continue setting benchmarks in quality, sustainability, and governance.
The transaction also demonstrates that global capital partnerships can successfully transition to local control while maintaining institutional standards. As Kenya’s real estate market continues to mature, this deal could serve as a model for similar transitions across the continent.
Mi Vida Homes is a leading residential developer in Kenya, specialising in affordable and mid-market housing. The company integrates green building practices and sustainable design to create vibrant, livable communities. Since its founding in 2018, Mi Vida Homes has become synonymous with innovation, transparency, and community-centred development.
Actis, on the other hand, is a global investor in sustainable infrastructure with a proven track record of building market-leading businesses across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Its partnership with Mi Vida Homes has been a case study in how institutional investors can catalyse long-term value creation in emerging markets.
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