Africa’s housing sector sits at the frontlines of climate impacts and rapid urbanization. Informal settlements, often located in flood prone, water scarce, or poorly serviced areas, face heightened climate risks and negative impacts. Formal housing systems, on the other hand, struggle with affordability, inadequate infrastructure, and carbon intensive construction models. 

With urbanization accelerating across the continent, decision-makers have a once in a generation opportunity to embed resilience, circularity, and low carbon innovation into the housing systems that will shape cities for decades. 

At the second Africa Urban Forum, WRI will convene policymakers, community leaders, researchers, financiers, architects, and development partners to discuss climate adaptation and mitigation in housing. They will explore nature-based and vernacular approaches, highlight policy and governance innovations, and examine financing strategies to scale climate-smart, affordable housing.

Speakers 

  • Wanjira Maathai, Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Africa, World Resources Institute 
  • Dr. Jimmy Gasore, Minister of Infrastructure, Republic of Rwanda Minister Chaltu Sani, Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, Republic of Ethiopia 
  • Ale Badara Sy, Special Advisor to the Premier Minister of Senegal on Urbanization
  • Edgar Pieterse, Founding Director, African Center for Cities at the University of Cape Town 
  • Jane Weru, Executive Director & Founding Member, Akiba Mashinani Trust 
  • Nasra Nanda, CEO, Kenya Green Building Council
  • Lin O’Grady, Deputy Head, Sustainable Infrastructure, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development