Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has been elected as the inaugural Chair of the African Housing and Urban Development Ministers Financial Executive Group.
This is according to a statement by Mark Chieshe, Special Assistant to the Minister of Housing on Media and Strategy, who revealed that the decision was taken by Shelter African Development Bank shareholders at the institution’s 43rd Annual General Meeting and Symposium held in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The establishment of the African Housing and Urban Development Ministers Financial Executive Group represents a unique opportunity to galvanize collective action and accelerate progress towards inclusive and sustainable housing development in Africa,” Dangiwa said in response to his election.
“I am thrilled that shareholders not only considered and approved my proposal to create a caucus, but also appointed me as its first chair.
“I pledge to do everything in my power to foster cooperation, foster innovation and mobilize resources to transform the continent’s housing landscape and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of our citizens,” he said.
Also read: Transforming Nigeria’s housing landscape: The legacy of Ahmed Dangiwa
“As Africans, it is important to recognize that we are one. We have a common continent, we have a common destiny and our progress or backwardness is reflected in all of us. Therefore, we must intentionally support ourselves to make unified progress across all sectors,” he said.
He further said that as far as housing and urban development is concerned, it is up to African housing and urban development ministers to ensure joint progress.
Mr Dangiwa said the outcomes of the caucus include increased collaboration and knowledge exchange leading to innovative housing policies and strategies, and increased investment in affordable housing projects supported by international donors and private sector partnerships.
He added that this also includes improving access to adequate and affordable housing for low-income groups to reduce poverty and contribute to social inclusion.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank is a pan-African housing finance institution with shareholders from 44 African governments, the African Development Bank and the African Reinsurance Corporation.
