Morocco Welcomes Key Stakeholders for Urban Development Discussions
Morocco is set to host the 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Shelter Afrique Development Bank, taking place from June 9 to June 11, 2026, at the luxurious Sofitel Jardin des Roses in Rabat. This prestigious event will feature a variety of sessions, including an Annual Symposium, a Ministerial Roundtable, statutory meetings, field visits, and numerous business and investment opportunities centered on critical issues such as housing finance, climate-resilient infrastructure, and urban transformation. The event is convened under the theme, "The Future of Cities: Financing Inclusive, Green, and Resilient Urban Development," aiming to bring together a diverse group of housing and finance ministers, policymakers, investors, development finance institutions, urban planners, and private sector stakeholders from across Africa. The goal is to discuss and devise strategies that will accelerate sustainable urban development and enhance the delivery of affordable housing throughout the continent.
Critical Timing for Urban Development in Africa
In anticipation of the AGM, Thierno Habib Hann, the Managing Director of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, emphasized the significance of this year's meeting, highlighting its relevance at a time when African cities are facing challenges related to rapid urbanization, housing shortages, and climate change. He stated that the AGM serves as a strategic platform for African leaders and stakeholders to explore innovative financing solutions that will promote inclusive and resilient urban development across the continent. Fatima-Zahra Mansouri, Morocco’s Minister of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy, expressed her enthusiasm for hosting the event, viewing it as an opportunity for Morocco to showcase its commitment to advancing sustainable urban development and enhancing cooperation in housing and city planning throughout Africa. She noted the importance of sharing Morocco's own experiences in urban transformation while fostering partnerships that support affordable and climate-resilient housing across the continent.
This year's AGM has garnered participation from delegates representing the Bank's 44 member states, alongside representatives from various multilateral institutions, development partners, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. Morocco’s role in hosting this meeting underscores its growing influence in advancing sustainable housing and urban development initiatives in Africa. It also reflects the ongoing commitment of Shelter Afrique Development Bank to promote regional collaboration and investment in transformative urban projects. Established in 1981 in Lusaka, Zambia, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) is a Pan-African Multilateral Development Bank dedicated to promoting and financing sustainable housing, urban development, and related infrastructure, operating through a shareholding structure that includes 44 African governments and key institutional shareholders such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re).
As reported by tanzaniatimes.net.
