Proptech is reshaping the real estate landscape, especially in Africa, where traditional barriers to property ownership and investment are being addressed through innovative solutions. Two startups in Lisk’s African Incubation program, Nomachain and RedSwan, are using blockchain technology to create new opportunities for investors and aspiring homeowners. By enabling tokenized, fractional ownership, these companies are expanding access to property investment and redefining the pathway to real estate ownership.

Nomachain: Making Homeownership Accessible in Africa

The Inspiration Behind Nomachain

Nomachain was inspired by the personal experiences of its founders, who recognized the difficulties in navigating the traditional African real estate market. Through a previous venture, they identified that while many people desired homeownership, financial barriers often made it unattainable. Nomachain’s solution is a rent-to-own model that allows individuals to gradually build equity without needing large down payments or traditional credit.

Platform Evolution and Milestones

Since joining the program, Nomachain has introduced decentralized finance (DeFi) capabilities, making it easier for users to save and invest through tokenized assets. The platform now supports over 1,000 users actively saving toward homeownership, with 68 active rent-to-own (RTO) plans valued at $1.8 million tokenized on the Lisk network. Nomachain’s utility token, Noma Token SD ($NOMA), has also garnered strong market interest, reaching a market cap of $300,000.

Blockchain as the Backbone

Blockchain technology ensures transparency and efficiency in property transactions. Through smart contracts, Nomachain automates equity-building payments and maintains secure, transparent records. The integration of DeFi empowers users to save and invest in tokenized assets, enabling them to participate in property ownership that was once beyond reach.

Scaling Plans Across Africa and Beyond

Nomachain’s initial focus is on African markets, starting with Kenya, where partnerships with local real estate developers and financial institutions have made tokenized real estate assets more accessible. Looking to the future, Nomachain has its sights set on expansion into Southeast Asia, with Singapore identified as a strategic hub for reaching broader markets. This global outlook positions Nomachain as a key player in democratizing real estate investment beyond the African continent.

RedSwan: Transforming Commercial Real Estate with Tokenization

The Shift to Tokenization

RedSwan is pioneering the tokenization of commercial real estate (CRE), a move inspired by CEO Edward Nwokedi’s two-decade experience in traditional CRE. Recognizing the limitations in accessibility and liquidity, RedSwan’s platform enables investors to trade fractional shares of real estate, opening up previously inaccessible markets. Tokenization addresses key issues in CRE, offering liquidity, fractional ownership, and lower barriers to entry for diverse range of investors.

Developments and Milestones in Global Markets

Since joining the program, RedSwan has successfully tokenized its GCC fund based in Qatar, allowing for a digital cap table that broadens investor access worldwide. This project exemplifies RedSwan’s approach to providing new capital sources for property owners and fostering inclusivity for investors seeking high-value commercial assets.

Investor and Property Owner Feedback

The feedback on RedSwan’s tokenization model has been positive, highlighting its appeal as a new capital source for property owners and an accessible investment avenue for individuals. With global accessibility, investors and property owners alike can connect across borders, further expanding the reach of tokenized real estate.

Future Vision: Expanding Into Affordable Housing in Africa

Looking ahead, RedSwan is developing a proprietary technology suite that includes a token-minting studio, an issuance platform for digital securities, and a secondary trading exchange.As part of its commitment to social impact, RedSwan plans to address the affordable housing deficit across Africa by attracting cross-border investments into this sector. This vision aligns with RedSwan’s mission to enable international investors to participate in Africa’s real estate market, supporting growth and economic development across the continent.

Nomachain and RedSwan showcase the transformative potential of blockchain in proptech. By breaking down traditional financial barriers and expanding access to real estate, both companies are empowering a new generation of investors and homeowners. As they continue to grow and expand into new regions, Nomachain and RedSwan are set to reshape property investment and ownership, bringing blockchain-based, fractional ownership to a wider audience and contributing to the development of a more inclusive real estate market.

Find out more about the innovative startups taking part in the African Incubation Hub on our website: www.liskincubationhub.com .