LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has been appointed as the first chairman of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development.
According to a statement by Special Assistant to the Housing Minister for Media and Strategy, Mark Chieshe, the appointment was decided upon by shareholders of Shelter Afrique Development Bank during its 43rd Annual General Meeting and Symposium held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Following his election, Dangiwa expressed that the creation of the Financial Caucus of African Ministers of Housing and Urban Development offers a significant opportunity to mobilize collective efforts and expedite advancements in iclusive and sustainable housing development across 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.”
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“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.
According to the minister, African housing and urban development ministers bear the responsibility for driving collective progress in their sector.
Dangiwa highlighted that outcomes from the caucus would foster enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange, resulting in innovative housing policies and strategies, and bolstered investments in affordable housing projects through partnerships with international donors and the private sector.
He further emphasized that the caucus aims to enhance access to decent and affordable housing for low-income populations, thereby reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank, a pan-African housing finance institution, counts shareholders from 44 African governments, the African Development Bank, and the African Reinsurance Corporation.