Zimbabwe to host 2017 Pan African shelter Afrique symposium

By Wallace Mawire* Zimbabwe is set to host the 36th Shelter Afrique Annual General Meeting (AGM) and symposium on 4 to 8 July 2017 in the resort town of Victoria Falls, according to Engineer George Mlilo, Secretary for the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing ministry. According to Mlilo, Shelter Afrique is a Pan African housing finance institution collectively owned by 44 African states including Zimbabwe and other non-state entities like the African Development Bank (ADB) and the African Renaissance Corporation, just to mention a few. The organisation offers housing finance and proffers technical assistance to housing financiers and land developers amongst its member states shareholders. It is reported that at the 35th AGM of Shelter Afrique held last year in Abuja, Nigeria, Zimbabwe was appointed the 1st Vice Chair for the Pan African Financing Grouping and by extension, official host for the 36th AGM. “There will be housing related exhibitions running concurrently with the AGM and symposium. Over 300 delegates from within and outside Zimbabwe are expected to grace the event,” Engineer Mlilo said. Attendance is expected from stakeholders in the housing and construction industry who will include local authorities, housing finance institutions, land developers, construction professional bodies, suppliers of building materials, contractors and consultancy organizations in the construction sector including academic institutions and researchers. The symposium will offer opportunity for pre-arranged meetings with Shelter Afrique officials, opportunities to clinch deals with Shelter Afrique and other African states and development partners, opportunities to unlock value in low cost housing delivery through joint venture schemes, knowledge sharing with other African countries on effective low cost housing deliver and networking opportunities with fellow housing practitioners from the continent. https://youtu.be/QdNxvJGSkME