The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded Africa CEO Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
The partnership seeks to unlock innovative housing finance and urban infrastructure solutions at a time when Africa continues to face a major housing deficit. According to Shelter Afrique Development Bank, the continent’s housing shortfall stood at 56 million units as of 2025, requiring an estimated $3 trillion in investment.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director Thierno-Habib Hann described the agreement as a key step toward accelerating access to affordable and sustainable housing across the continent.
“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with IFC marks an important milestone in our shared commitment to accelerating affordable and sustainable housing across Africa,” Hann said.
He added that the partnership combines Shelter Afrique’s housing sector expertise with IFC’s investment and advisory capabilities, enabling both institutions to mobilise capital, drive innovation, and support housing projects that improve livelihoods and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate on strengthening Africa’s housing ecosystem through initiatives focused on improving corporate governance and risk management frameworks, enhancing investment readiness for housing projects, and building developers’ capacity in green construction and climate resilience.
The partnership will also promote sustainable and resilient housing solutions while supporting capital market resource mobilisation initiatives aimed at attracting more financing into the sector.
IFC Vice President for Africa Ethiopis Tafara said housing remains central to Africa’s economic growth and social development.
“Housing lies at the core of Africa’s growth—driving jobs, expanding opportunity, and shaping inclusive communities,” Tafara said.
He noted that through the partnership, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, intends to mobilise private capital and innovative solutions to help narrow Africa’s housing gap and improve living standards across the continent.
The MoU establishes a framework for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the two institutions, reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth through improved housing delivery and urban transformation.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank further stated that the partnership is expected to accelerate the adoption of innovative tools and approaches aimed at improving housing affordability and access, while encouraging stronger public-private sector collaboration within Africa’s housing value chain.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) is a Pan-African multilateral development bank dedicated to promoting and financing sustainable housing, urban development, and related infrastructure across Africa.
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