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Nigeria to host Shelter Afrique’s 42nd Annual General Meeting

Nigeria is set to host Shelter Afrique’s 42nd Annual General Meeting, 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 event is scheduled to take place during the week of 8th to 11th May 2023 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme: Political Economy in the Built Environment – Housing Market Dynamics and Political Economy of the Housing Sector.
“It is essential to understand the interactions between the main stakeholders that have shaped the housing production and delivery value chain, as well as what is at stake at each of the critical stages throughout the value chain. In so doing, hence our theme for this year’s AGM and Housing Symposium,” Shelter Afrique Managing Director & CEO Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann said on the theme.
“It is equally crucial to explore the incentive mechanisms facing the main stakeholders in the housing value chain as well as the induced outcomes in terms of the provision of decent and affordable housing for everyone,” he added.
This is the second time in recent years that Nigeria is hosting the Annual General Meeting; the 35th AGM was held in Nigeria in 2016. Nigeria has remained an active member of the Pan-African institution and has often played a stabilizing role in the affairs of the organization. Last year Nigeria paid $7.5 million in additional capital bringing its shareholding to 15.8 per cent.
Handing over
At the 42nd AGM, Zimbabwe’s Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Hon. Daniel Garwe, who is the current President of Shelter Afrique Annual General Meeting (AGM) Bureau will hand over the mantle to Hon. Fashola. Hon. Fashola was elected the 1st Vice-President of the AGM Bureau at the Company’s 41st AGM held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
More than 200 guests comprising Finance and Housing Ministers from 44 member countries, housing sector players from the public and private sectors and other governmental and non-governmental entities are expected to attend.
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).
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COP28: Shelter Afrique secures grant from IsDBI to pioneer affordable housing products

At COP28
Shelter Afrique, the leading Pan-African Housing Finance Institution, announced a collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) at the sidelines of COP28. The partnership aims to develop Islamic Housing Finance Products to respond to the growing demand for affordable and climate adaptive housing solutions across the continent.
The Pan-African Housing Finance Institution has sought this collaboration with the IsDBI to create tailored products in harmony with principles of responsible investing. This partnership is timely as several African countries are making notable progress in developing their Islamic finance markets, presenting untapped growth opportunities.
Shelter Afrique recognizes a gap in the availability of diversified financial products at scale. As a Pan-African Housing Finance Institution committed to innovation, Shelter Afrique views the development of Islamic finance products as a viable alternative financing model to effectively address Africa’s housing and urban development challenges.
Mr. Thierno Habib-Hann, Managing Director of Shelter-Afrique, expressed delight at the strategic significance of the program, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate closely with IsDBI on this initiative. Rent to own schemes are natural products for islamic finance, hence will be leveraged to address the large housing gap. In addition, this collaboration aligns with our commitment towards a dedicated funding thematics dedicated to ‘Green financing and Islamic finance”.
Shelter Afrique’s continuous efforts to enhance its product offerings underscore its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its clients and fulfilling its mandate of delivering affordable housing for all in Africa. The collaboration with IsDB, a multilateral development bank known for its impactful initiatives in member countries, positions Shelter Afrique to pioneer developing and delivering unique financial offerings and structures for housing infrastructure across the continent.
In his comments on the collaboration, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of the Islamic Development Bank Institute, said, “This partnership is part of our collective effort to promote inclusive and sustainable housing solutions through Islamic finance. The Technical Assistance provided by IsDBI aims to equip Shelter Afrique with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving landscape of affordable housing and urban development in Africa. We believe that through strategic collaborations like these, we can drive positive change and contribute to the continent’s socio-economic development.”
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mediaReach OMD Nigeria Appoints Stephen Onaivi as New Managing Director

mediaReach OMD Nigeria Board of Directors has confirmed the appointment of Stephen Onaivi effective January 1st, 2024. Onaivi will become the managing director of the nation’s foremost media investment and management agency, known for its thought leadership and innovativeness. The Regional Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom Media Group West & Central Africa (OMG WeCA), Alaba Fadero, announced Onaivi’s appointment in Lagos.
According to Fadero, “Stephen’s appointment is the result of a careful succession planning and talent development program. He is expected to maintain OMD’s industry leadership and drive our regional growth strategy across the three critical global pillars of Client, People, and Capability.”
Onaivi is a homegrown, globally evolved professional who has been responsible for driving innovation across major brands, including Diageo, Airtel, Olam, Vodafone, Virgin Atlantic, Google, Uber, and GSK, to mention a few across the West and Central African region.
In addition to being the Managing Director of OMD Nigeria, he has a mandate to drive the OMD brand across West and Central Africa to enhance client value and ensure the seamless integration of OMD values, technology, and strategic processes.
Before his new appointment, Onaivi was the Managing Director of OMD Ghana, where he contributed to developing a multi-disciplinary, forward-looking media and advertising industry and serviced an array of national, multinational, and regional clients.
Reacting to his new appointment, Onaivi expressed confidence that the industry leadership and innovative strides of OMD Nigeria would be maintained under his leadership, stating, “We are proud of our thought leadership and pragmatic approach to providing value-driven services to our clients, and they should expect more with our team’s renewed commitment.”
According to Onaivi, key focus areas of OMD Nigeria will include innovation driven by technology and marketing science, the development of local talents, and enhanced strategic thinking to improve the agency’s value proposition to its clients.
Onaivi is a communication expert who has attended several management training courses and conferences from renowned business schools across the globe, including the Lagos Business School and London Business School. He is a keen golfer and a firm believer in the importance of community service. He is also the founder of the “Play with Stephen” golf tournament held annually in Accra, Ghana. The tournament leverages golf as a ‘passion point’ for key decision-makers to create awareness and support for Autism across Africa.
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Endeavor Nigeria appoints Bolaji Balogun as its new Chairman
