By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable housing, innovation, and skills development following a high-level engagement with the leadership of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, led by Board Chairman and former Prime Minister of Benin, H.E. Lionel Alain Louis Zinsou-Derlin, alongside Managing Director Thierno-Habib Hann and Vice Chair QS Said Athman.
“Kenya continues to strengthen its long-standing partnership with the Nairobi-based Pan-African housing financier, driving sustainable housing, urban development, and infrastructure across the continent,” noted Mudavadi.
The meeting marked a shift from dialogue to decisive action, with both sides aligning on a clear roadmap to accelerate research, innovation, and eco-friendly construction across the housing sector.
Central to the discussions was the activation of a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development aimed at translating research outputs into modern, low-emission housing solutions with measurable environmental impact.
According Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the collaboration advances President William Ruto’s vision of increasing Kenya’s investment in research and development of 2 per cent of GDP.
By embedding research into housing and urban development, Kenya is strengthening its transition toward climate-resilient and environmentally responsible infrastructure.
The engagement also underscored a shared commitment to youth empowerment.
“We also agreed to roll out concrete collaborations with TVET institutions, equipping young people with practical, market-ready skills for the evolving job market,” stated Mudavadi.
As the Nairobi-based Pan-African housing financier, Shelter Afrique Development Bank remains a strategic partner in Kenya’s housing and urban development agenda.
This renewed collaboration reinforces Kenya’s leadership in driving sustainable housing, urban development, and infrastructure solutions not only nationally, but across the African continent.