A unanimous vote has elected Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, as the inaugural chairperson for the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development.
In a statement, the Special Assistant on Media and Strategy to the minister, Mr. Mark Chieshe, confirmed that the decision was made at the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Following his election, Dangiwa observed that the financial caucus provides an opportunity to galvanize collective action and accelerate progress towards building inclusive and sustainable housing in Africa.
“I am excited that the shareholders not only considered and approved the establishment of the Caucus, which I proposed, but also went on to appoint me to lead it as the inaugural Chair. I pledge to give it my best. By fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and mobilising resources, we can transform our continent’s housing landscape and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of our citizens.
“It is important for us to recognise that as Africans, we are one. We have a common continent; we have a common destiny, and our progress or backwardness reflects on us all. We must therefore be deliberate in supporting ourselves to make unified progress across all sectors. As far as housing and urban development is concerned, it is up to us as Ministers of Housing and Urban Development to ensure that we move forward together,” he said.
Dangiwa said the outcomes from the Caucus will include to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange that will lead to innovative housing policies and strategies, increase investments in affordable housing projects supported by international donors and private sector partnerships, as well as improve access to decent and affordable housing for low-income population to reduce poverty and contribute to social inclusion.
While adding that the caucus will lead to the strengthening of institutional capacities and regulatory frameworks to address housing challenges sustainably, he further said it will heighten awareness and advocacy for housing issues and position them as priorities on regional and international development agendas.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) is a pan-African housing finance institution with shareholders from 44 African governments, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the African Re-Insurance Corporation (Africa-Re).
