Editorial Desk 
Zimbabwe’s Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Hon. Daniel Garwe, Shelter Afrique Group Managing Director and Chief Executive officer Mr Andrew Chimphondah, and Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Head of Legal Affairs Mrs Olivia Mariga.[Photo/MediaFast PR.Agency]
The host agreement was signed last week in Harare by Zimbabwe’s Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Hon. Daniel Garwe and Shelter Afrique Group Managing Director and Chief Executive officer Mr Andrew Chimphondah.
Zimbabwe is set to host Shelter Afrique’s 41st Annual General Meeting in Victoria Falls, which will also cover a ministerial roundtable and some interlinked business activities as part of the proceedings, the pan- African housing development financier has disclosed.
The host agreement was signed last week in Harare by Zimbabwe’s Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Hon. Daniel Garwe and Shelter Afrique Group Managing Director and Chief Executive officer Mr. Andrew Chimphondah.
The event scheduled to take place between 25th – 30th July 2022 under the theme: Climate Change and the Built Environment, in reference to the Glasgow Conference of Parties (COP26) held last year.
Following the signing of the host deal, the Government of Zimbabwe is expected to ensure effective organisation and success of the meetings by undertaking to contribute to the physical arrangements which include country entry requirements, provision of hosting premises, transport for designated officials, equipment required during conferencing, meeting COVID 19 related protocols for delegates and customs related formalities.
Commenting on the country’s readiness, Mr. Garwe commended Shelter Afrique for choosing Zimbabwe to host its AGM a second time, adding that the move has demonstrated shelter Afrique’s conviction in the country as an ideal destination for foreign direct investment.
“Shelter Afrique held its 36th AGM in Victoria Falls and their return after 5 years for the 41st AGM demonstrates the renewed interest in Zimbabwe, providing a window of opportunity for the Government to leverage on in shaping the narrative towards robust human settlement delivery strategies. I would wish to thank Shelter Afrique for bestowing trust upon Zimbabwe as a Nation by selecting it as a venue of choice,” Mr. Garwe said.
Substantial gains
Mr. Garwe also noted Zimbabwe through hosting the AGM would accrue substantial gains which include regional integration, tourism and business linkages.
Speaking at the same occasion, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities Engineer Joy Makumbe emphasized noted the signing ceremony was significant to the Ministry as it signalled the establishment of a relationship with anticipated great returns towards housing delivery in Zimbabwe.
Thanking the government of Zimbabwe for committing to hosting the 41st AGM, Mr Chimphondah said the signing of the Host Agreement was significant in highlighting Shelter Afrique’s role as a catalyst in the industry and its ability to leverage partnerships, adding that this provides an opportunity for the government of Zimbabwe to shape and lead the conversation on affordable housing in the region.
“I believe that it will be a unique AGM if for no other reason, there are very few places in the world that have the majesty of Victoria Falls,” he said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, representatives from the financial service sector and organisations within the housing delivery spectrum.
Handing over
At the 41st AGM, Cameroon’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development Hon. Célestine Ketcha Courtès who is the current President of Shelter Afrique Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau will hand over the mantle to Hon. Garwe. Hon. Garwe was elected the 1st Vice-President of the AGM Bureau at the Company’s 40th AGM held in Yaoundé.
More than 200 guests drawn from the 44 member countries are expected to attend the AGM as well as other interlinked activities. An international exhibition is also envisaged to attract several exhibitors from across the world.
Zimbabwe joined Shelter-Afrique in November 1993 and since then the organisation has invested $58.2 million in the country through nine separate facilities.
Shelter-Afrique is a pan African housing finance and development institution established by African governments to address the need for a sustainable housing delivery system and related infrastructure projects in Africa. Shareholders include 44 African countries, the African Development Bank, the African Re-Insurance Corporation, and Fonds de Solidarité Africain (FSA).
