Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing and urban development, has been elected as the inaugural chairman of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development.

This is according to a statement by Mark Chieshe, special assistant to the housing minister on media and strategy which revealed that the decision was made by shareholders of Shelter Afrique Development Bank at the institution’s 43rd Annual General Meeting and Symposium held in Kigali, Rwanda.

“The establishment of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development presented a unique opportunity to galvanise collective action and accelerate progress towards inclusive and sustainable housing development in Africa,” Dangiwa said in response to his election.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he stated.

He further said as far as housing and urban development are concerned, it is up to African ministers of housing and urban development to ensure that there is collective progress.

Dangiwa said the outcomes from the caucus would include an enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange that would lead to innovative housing policies and strategies, and increase investments in affordable housing projects supported by international donors and private sector partnerships.

He added that it would include improving access to decent and affordable housing for low-income populations so as 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.