Kenya Leads Africa Urban Forum On Housing And Urban Resilience
Kenya takes a lead role in shaping Africa’s urban future as it hosts the Africa Urban Forum themed :“ Adequate Housing for All,” at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The three day forum, which brings together policymakers, development partners and urban experts comes at a critical time when Africa is experiencing rapid urbanisation, with cities emerging as engines of growth, innovation and opportunity.
However, this growth also brings mounting pressure in housing, infrastructure, and service delivery.
Importantly, the forum also advances continental frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Building Climate Resilience with the Urban Poor (BCRUP) which emphasizes sustainable urban development, particularly in coastal and rapidly growing cities.
This afternoon while opening the session, the Ministry for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Alice Wahome underscored the critical role of adequate housing in driving inclusive economic growth and social transformation across the continent.
CS Wahome highlighted the growing challenges posed by urban climate change, particularly the increasing frequency of floods affecting cities across Africa. She further emphasized the urgent need for climate-responsive urban planning, resilient infrastructure and sustainable housing solutions that can withstand environmental shocks.
While delivering the key note address on behalf of The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Hon. FCPA John Mbadi, the Economic Planning Principal Secretary, Dr. Bonface Makokha reaffirmed Kenya’s strong commitment to sustainable urban development and adequate housing as core drivers of economic growth.
He stressed on the significance of integrating housing within broader economic planning frameworks to ensure inclusive growth, job creation and improved livelihoods for all Citizens.
Central to the discussions is the urgent need to address the housing deficit across the continent, a priority that directly aligns with Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, one of the flagship pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The forum therefore offers an opportunity to strengthen coordination, enhance policy coherence, and align Kenya’s urban agenda with both national and continental development priorities.
In attendance were: the Director for Governance and Conflict Prevention (AU), Madam Patience Chiradza, the Ugandan Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Namakooba and the Chairperson of the State Committee for Urban Planning from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Anar Guliyevic among other dignitaries.
