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Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has been unanimously elected as the Inaugural Chairperson of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development.
Special assistant to the housing minister, on Media and Strategy, Mark Chieshe, in a statement, revealed that the decision was made by shareholders of Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) at the institution’s 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium held in Kigali, Rwanda
In response to his election, Dangiwa stated that the establishment of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development presents a unique opportunity to galvanise collective action and accelerate progress towards inclusive and sustainable housing development 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 recognize 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 populations so as 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 Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re).
