SADC - Development Finance Resource Centre hosts a CEOs forum in Gaborone

The Southern African Development Community Development Finance Resource Centre (SADC - DFRC) in collaboration with the local DFIs (BHC, BSB, CEDA, Norsad Capital, NDB, BITC, BDC, and LEA) held its first physical CEO Forum in Gaborone since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020. The forum which was held under the theme “Addressing the basics of affordable housing in the region” invited different speakers from across the region and internationally.

When officially opening the forum, the Botswana Minister of Finance Hon. Peggy Serame said most SADC countries are experiencing rapid urbanisation as people move from rural areas to urban areas in search of better living and work opportunities. “This, inevitably, results in a rise in the demand for affordable housing and availability of land to accommodate the urban migrators. However, this growing pressure on affordable housing is not adequately met as there is very little land and housing provision in the region,” she said.

A draft housing framework designed by the SADC DFI Infrastructure working group was developed in recognition of the Sustainable Development Goal 11, with the premise “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe resilient and sustainable”. It speaks to issues on housing finance, legislative framework, land administration including allocation criteria as well as alternative building technologies and materials. The forum speakers shared available sources of finance in the region and internationally for the provision of affordable housing, risks and challenges as well as possible mitigation factors.

The Forum was attended by delegates from the SADC region, including members of the SADC DFI Network, as well as Senior government officials and the private sector.