The 45th Symposium of Shelter Afrique, the pan-African housing development finance institution, was held in Rabat, Morocco, on June 8-9, 2026. The event brought together policymakers, financiers, and urban development experts to discuss strategic financing for the future of African cities.
Discussions centered on innovative funding mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and sustainable urban planning to address the continent's rapid urbanization. Shelter Afrique CEO Andrew Chimphondah emphasized the need for blended finance and local currency solutions to close the housing deficit.
Morocco's Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, highlighted the Kingdom's experience in social housing programs and urban renewal. The symposium also featured case studies from Kenya, CΓ΄te d'Ivoire, and Senegal.
Outcomes included a call for increased collaboration between African governments and development banks to mobilize resources for affordable housing and resilient infrastructure.
