The Managing Director of Shelter Afrique, Thierno-Habib Hann, emphasized the importance of leveraging the private sector and capital markets to bridge Africa's housing gap. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa at the African Development Bank's Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Hann highlighted Shelter Afrique's renewed focus on urban development and affordable housing, essential drivers of economic growth, job creation, and industrial expansion across the continent. Shelter Afrique, created by the AFDB in 1982, boasts a robust shareholder base comprising AFDB, Africa Re, and 44 African nations, with plans to onboard non-African institutions as well. Hann stressed the critical need to mobilize funding to address Africa's housing deficit, estimated at over 53 million units, requiring a staggering $1.3 trillion investment. Recognizing the financing shortfall within the sector, Hann underscored the imperative to engage the private sector and capital markets. He disclosed Shelter Afrique's active involvement in issuing local currency bonds across West Africa to fund affordable housing and urban infrastructure projects. Hann advocated for collaboration among African multilaterals, emphasizing partnership as the linchpin to achieving the continent's development objectives and the ambitious targets set under Agenda 2063. As the global financial landscape undergoes rapid transformation, Hann acknowledged the unprecedented challenges facing institutions and societies. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and resource mobilization, Shelter Afrique aims to position itself as the primary resource mobilization institution endorsed by the African Union. Hann's strategic vision entails blending finance options, tapping into private sector and capital market resources to propel growth in the housing and urban development sectors. Considering the diverse realities across African regions, Hann delineated the nuanced responses to Shelter Afrique's initiatives. From East to West, Central to Southern Africa, each region presents unique challenges and opportunities. Hann emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive diagnostic framework to tailor solutions to each country's specific needs. Shelter Afrique has introduced the VIRAL framework, focusing on vision, institutions, regulations, actors, and local initiatives to drive housing projects. Additionally, the institution advocates for Country Housing Urban Partnership Strategies (CHUPS), collaborating closely with member countries to prioritize areas of intervention and facilitate their housing and infrastructure objectives. In conclusion, Hann's strategic leadership underscores Shelter Afrique's commitment to catalyzing sustainable development across Africa by harnessing the power of the private sector, capital markets, and cross-institutional partnerships to bridge the continent's housing gap and drive economic prosperity.