They usually live in villages with other people of the same ethnic group. While some villages have houses made of modern materials such as cement and metal, many people still live in houses made of clay or dried mud with roofs of grass or palm leaves. A description of common village life in Africa, this is true. Then there is a new Africa were I believe building a modern house in Africa will be an investment. My father always said buy your own land and build on it. OK it can't be that easy! Building a property in Africa, well you just have to plan it.