In a region where rapid urbanisation, climate change, and housing shortages are intersecting challenges, an innovative solution is gaining traction in Kenya and Tanzania: building homes using sandbags. This construction method, known as SuperAdobe, offers a practical, sustainable, and affordable way to address the growing demand for resilient housing in East Africa. Initially developed by Iranian-American architect Nader Khalili, the method was designed for use in extreme conditions, potentially even on the Moon, but it is proving to be a timely answer to real challenges here on Earth.

SuperAdobe involves filling long tubular bags with locally sourced earth and sand, then stacking them in circular or dome-shaped layers. Each layer is secured with barbed wire, creating a structure that is surprisingly strong and able to withstand harsh environmental conditions. The technique is ideal for regions like Kenya’s arid northern counties or Tanzania’s coastal and highland areas, where climate conditions can be unpredictable and conventional construction materials are often expensive or inaccessible.

The use of earth and sand not only makes these homes incredibly cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. Unlike cement or fired bricks, which carry significant carbon footprints due to manufacturing and transport, sandbag homes use what is already underfoot. This drastically reduces emissions, helping communities contribute to climate mitigation efforts while securing shelter. The thermal mass of these structures also provides natural insulation, keeping homes cooler during the day and warmer at night, a valuable feature in both the hot plains of Tanzania and the high-altitude regions of Kenya.

One of the most compelling benefits of sandbag housing is its resilience. In earthquake-prone zones or flood-prone areas, such as parts of western Kenya or Tanzania’s Rufiji Delta, SuperAdobe homes have proven to withstand natural disasters far better than many traditional structures. In communities that face annual flooding or drought, having access to homes that do not collapse or degrade quickly offers a critical level of security and peace of mind.

This method also offers an empowering solution to housing shortages. With basic training, individuals and communities can construct these homes themselves, eliminating the need for heavy machinery or expensive contractors. This democratises access to decent housing, especially in low-income urban settlements and rural areas where formal housing markets have left many behind. In Kenya’s informal settlements around Nairobi, or in rapidly expanding towns like Arusha and Dodoma in Tanzania, this could present a transformative opportunity.

Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations in East Africa are beginning to explore this construction technique. In Kenya, grassroots innovators and social enterprises have piloted sandbag home models in areas such as Kajiado and Turkana, demonstrating both the viability and appeal of these homes. In Tanzania, where affordable housing remains a top national development priority, incorporating SuperAdobe techniques into government or donor-funded programmes could significantly enhance reach and impact, particularly in climate resilience and urban upgrading initiatives.

However, challenges remain. Building codes and regulatory frameworks in both countries still favour conventional methods, often creating bureaucratic barriers to alternative construction models. Public awareness is also limited; many still view mud or sandbag homes as temporary or inferior. However, as more successful examples emerge and the environmental and economic benefits become clearer, public perception is slowly shifting.

Kenya and Tanzania stand at a critical juncture, as both strive toward ambitious development goals while also grappling with climate vulnerability and social inequality. Housing sits at the centre of these intersecting challenges. Embracing innovative, sustainable, and inclusive approaches, such as those offered by SuperAdobe, provides a pathway not just to shelter but to dignity, resilience, and hope.

With rising urban populations and increasing environmental pressure, sandbags might just become the unlikely building blocks of a more sustainable future in East Africa, homes built not just for today, but for generations to come.