Peripheral urbanization in African cities has become a defining feature of contemporary urban growth, presenting both persistent challenges and untapped opportunities for housing development. Historically framed through the lens of poverty, informality, and infrastructural deficit, peripheral areas are increasingly recognized as dynamic spaces shaped by intersecting socio-economic drivers including income inequality, informal employment, and constrained housing finance and cultural factors such as customary land tenure, household structures, and housing aspirations. This study employs a systematic review methodology, following PRISMA guidelines, to analyse 1240  peer-reviewed and grey literature sources published between 2000 and 2024. The review integrates comparative case studies from countries including Kenya and Namibia to synthesize empirical and conceptual insights on housing in African peripheries. Findings reveal that community-led initiatives, hybrid land governance models, and participatory planning are central to fostering resilience, spatial justice, and responsive urban governance. Policy recommendations emphasize integrating customary and formal tenure systems, strengthening community participation, expanding affordable housing finance, and investing in peripheral infrastructure. By advancing locally grounded and interdisciplinary approaches, this research contributes directly to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, offering evidence-based pathways to more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban futures across Africa,