underscored the need for safe and well located green, affordable housing.
“As the global economy emerges from the covid-19 pandemic, this year’s theme, ‘A New Frontier in Affordable Housing in Africa’, provides Rwanda with an opportunity to be at the centre of Africa’s urbanisation and housing drive,” AUHF’s Chairman and chief executive of Shelter Afrique, Andrew Chimphondah, said.
He went on to note that this annual gathering in Kigali enables the East African nation to highlight the progress made by the country in this fast moving sector. “The AUHF is delighted to bring its 37th annual conference and Annual General Meeting to the beautiful city of Kigali. We are encouraged by the Government of Rwanda’s focus on affordable housing, as framed in Vision 2050.”
He also commended the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), a seven year programme under which the government aims to accelerate sustainable urbanisation from 18.4 per cent to 35 per cent by 2024, as a key driving factor for economic growth.
During his address, Chimphondah pointed out that the dramatic and severe impact on the resources of the public and private sectors and most importantly the households, as a result of the pandemic. However, the AUHF and its sponsors are of the view that the crisis has provided a platform for the sector to break new ground across the entire housing value chain of Africa. “This calls for new innovative approaches to both the demand and supply sides and the introduction of new value adding products and services,” the AUHF Chairman added.
