Andrew
Zimbabwe will this month host the 41st Shelter Afrique annual general meeting in Victoria Falls.
The meeting will bring together more than 300 delegates from 45 countries to discuss, among other issues, how climate change is affecting the built environment in Africa.
Shelter Afrique is a Pan-African finance institution that exclusively supports the development of housing and real estate sectors on the continent.
The Sunday Mail’s TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR) discussed preparations for the key indaba with National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe (DG).
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TR: Can you outline issues that are set for discussion during the Shelter Afrique’s annual general meeting?
DG: Government of Zimbabwe will be hosting the upcoming 41st Shelter Afrique annual general meeting and a symposium scheduled for July 24 to July 29 in Victoria Falls.
The annual general meeting will be held under the theme “Climate Change and the Built Environment”.
As such, issues to do with climate change and how it affects human settlements will take centre stage.
Over the past two years, global attention has been drawn to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The world is also experiencing dramatic climate-induced changes that are negatively impacting the built environment.
This impact has consequently led to the coining of the aforementioned theme.
Climate change has a significant influence on the social and environmental determinants of health: clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food, and sustainable housing, among others.
More so, member countries are not strangers to extreme weather patterns, which include excessive floods, winds and cyclones that directly impact on human settlements.
The proposed AGM and symposium will provide an opportunity for member countries to showcase their responsiveness to climate change in the built environment.
TR: What benefits are likely to accrue to Zimbabwe from participating?
DG: The benefits to be accrued from this international meeting cannot be overemphasised.
First and foremost, Zimbabwe successfully hosted the 37th AGM in Victoria Falls in 2017 and their return after five years for the 41st AGM demonstrates the renewed interest in the country as an investment destination.
This will provide a window of opportunity for Government to shape the human settlements narrative as we journey towards modern and affordable houses.
This is in tandem with the National Development Strategy 1 and shows the significance of the engagement and re-engagement drive as enunciated by His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in various policy pronouncements.
The AGM and symposium provide another opportunity for Zimbabwe to welcome and host African counterparts and stakeholders in the resort city of Victoria Falls.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to explore various tourism services and products on offer and enjoy the Zimbabwean hospitality.
The symposium is driven by the need for research-based solutions, and is meant to be an avenue for collaboration and synthesising emerging lessons.
Over the years, it has served to document and disseminate information to African countries, stakeholders and key partners on key issues affecting the region.
The exhibition will also offer a networking hub and business development opportunities.
This will be an opportunity to attract potential buyers, investors and collaborators with interactive demonstrations. It will be an ideal platform for entities to explain, present and answer questions in detail in a relaxed environment.
Exhibitors will also be able to play an active role in the programme through sessions, which will take place over the course of the AGM and the symposium.
TR: How many delegates are attending the meeting and from which countries?
DG: More than 300 guests drawn from 45 member countries are expected to attend the AGM as well as the interlinked sideline activities.
These delegates will be partly Ministers of Housing – who are Class A shareholders of Shelter Afrique – from 45 African countries, housing financiers, built environment and climate change experts from international organisations and the region.
The countries to be represented are as follows: Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Eswatini, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, is expected to deliver a keynote address in welcoming delegates to this event.
TR: We understand that Zimbabwe will attain chairmanship of the Shelter Afrique Bureau during the meeting. What does this mean and how is the country going to benefit from this development?
DG: As a way of background, the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Daniel Garwe assumed the position of first vice chairperson of the Shelter Afrique Bureau in 2021.
He will succeed Cameroon as chair during the forthcoming 41st AGM.
Assumption of the chairmanship will put Zimbabwe on the map as the country will lead key programmes and deliverables related to human settlements and the built environment across the continent.
The minister will be seized with the responsibility of overseeing implementation of various declarations made at the AGM.
This will be an opportunity for Zimbabwe to foster strategies aimed at improving the status of the built environment within the Pan-African spectrum.
TR: Can you outline how far housing projects being developed in partnership with Shelter Afrique have progressed?
DG: The mandate for Shelter Afrique is to build strategic partnerships and offer a host of products and related services to support the efficient delivery of affordable and sustainable housing and commercial real estate.
Zimbabwe formally joined Shelter Afrique in November 1993 and is one of the five countries that have fully paid-up capital subscriptions.
The country continues to be an active member in the Class A shareholder category and has often led the region in being the base of Shelter Afrique’s investments.
To date, Shelter Afrique has invested US$58,2 million in Zimbabwe accessed by local financial institutions.
The company has also extended a sovereign loan facility in excess of US$25 million to Zimbabwe and other member countries.
The US$25 million facility will see the construction of more than 3 000 housing units and the establishment of a material production plant for new construction technology in Zimbabwe.
Those willing to participate can register online on the Ministry or Shelter Afrique websites.
An invitation is further extended to those who would like to exhibit their goods and services.
Online Reporter