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Happiness Zengeni and Golden Sibanda Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE has landed a top post at the Pan-African housing finance institution, Shelter Afrique and will automatically host the next annual general meeting.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere was elected first vice president of Africa’s only housing finance institution, Shelter Afrique, and will deputise Nigeria’s housing minister Babatunde Fashoula. Tanzania will hold the second vice president’s post. The elections were held during the financial institution’s 35th annual general meeting currently taking place in Abuja, Nigeria. The meetings were held under the theme “Housing Africa’s Low Income Urban Population”.
Speaking soon after his election Minister Kasukuwere told the Harare Bureau the country had landed the top post in recognition of the government’s sterling work in proving housing for its people.
“It’s an honour that has been bestowed on our country in recognising the efforts that the government is making to achieve housing for all.
“Africa is appreciative of what Zimbabwe is doing and hosting the next AGM will be good for our country. Shelter Afrique has been supporting Zimbabwe in accessing lines of credit for housing developments,” he said.
The AGM is set to be held in the resort town of Victoria Falls next year.
Shelter Afrique is credited for being the only pan-African institution that exclusively supported the development of housing and real estate sector in Africa.
A number of local financial institutions have received housing finance lines of credit support from the pan-African financier and these include CBZ Bank, CABS and BancABC.
Minister Kasukuwere said the country would also increase its shareholding in the institution.
“We are also set to increase our shareholding in Shelter Afrique to ensure that Zimbabwe can benefit more from the funding opportunities that it makes available,” he added.
The housing finance institution is backed by 44 African countries and two development finance institutions; African Development Bank and African Reinsurance Corporation.
Online Reporter