For Africa (hot climates, cost sensitivity, sustainability):
Ranking (mud/adobe/rammed earth, fired brick, wood/bamboo, concrete/cement, steel) by affordability, thermal comfort, durability, local fit:
1. Mud/rammed earth: Cheapest (50-60% less than concrete), superior passive cooling (5-10°C cooler), ultra-low emissions, fully local/renewable. Needs annual maintenance but lasts centuries dry.
2. Fired brick: Durable, better rain resistance than raw mud, moderate cost.
3. Bamboo/wood (treated): Fast, renewable, flexible in seismic zones—but termites/fire/rot risks in humid areas.
4. Concrete/cement: Very strong for floods/high-rises, low upkeep—but expensive, high CO2, traps heat (needs AC).
5. Steel: Ultimate strength for tall builds—but costliest, corrosion in tropics.
Best suited: Mud/earth-based (or stabilized hybrids) for most rural/urban housing. Concrete for critical infrastructure only.