NAIROBI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday urged African countries to support an innovative, bold and progressive financing model to expand access to decent shelter for urban dwellers on the continent.
Speaking at the second Africa Urban Forum underway in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Ruto stressed that investing in affordable housing is key to reimagining Africa's cities and ensuring they become hubs for innovation, enterprise and inclusive growth.
The three-day meeting has brought together nearly 10,000 participants, both in person and virtually, including ministers, city mayors, representatives of donor agencies, the private sector, academia and civil society, who are expected to endorse a new framework for securing a resilient and green future for African cities.
Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program, said that African cities are growing at an annual rate of 3.5 percent, yet nearly 60 percent of residents lack decent shelter.
It is projected that by 2050, six out of 10 people in Africa will live in urban areas that generate nearly 60 percent of the continent's gross domestic product, underscoring the need to scale up investments in affordable shelter, Rossbach said.
Moses Vilakati, African Union commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, said adequate housing is not only a matter of dignity and human rights but also a foundation for economic productivity, which is essential for social stability and peace. ■
