…Forges Landmark Alliance with Shelter Afrique
Rwanda’s success in the realm of affordable and sustainable housing, exemplified by the pioneering Bwiza Riverside project, stands as a demonstration to its innovative approach in addressing one of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
This achievement becomes increasingly significant in light of Shelter Afrique’s recent strategic alignment with this model, resonating with their ‘New Dawn’ strategy aimed at scaling such sustainable housing solutions across the continent.
The quest for affordable housing in Africa is fraught with challenges: rapid urbanization, scarcity of land, and an ever-growing population leaving a daunting gap in housing supply and demand. Traditional construction methods, while culturally significant, often do not lend themselves to scalability and cost-effectiveness, further exacerbating the crisis. Additionally, the urgent need for sustainable, environmentally conscious development adds another layer of complexity to this challenge.
Rwanda, however, has managed to navigate these obstacles with remarkable signs of success. At the forefront of this achievement is the Bwiza Riverside project, a collaboration between Rwanda and ADHI, which is garnering international recognition, particularly at this COP 28, for its commitment to sustainable building practices. The first phase of 256 homes was delivered in less then a year with 80 trainees and is now scaling to 2000 homes. The project not only addresses the affordability with houses starting at 17000 usd (thanks to the Banque Rwandaise de Devellopment mortgage scheme a monthly payment of 100 usd for ownership) but also scalability concerns doing so in a way that is environmentally sustainable and culturally accepted.
ADHI has been pivotal in this success with its patented building technologies and comprehensive solutions in construction, manufacturing, and training of future employees and entrepreneurs of which a majority are women has echoed a strong statement. This approach has set new standards in the industry, tailored to meet the unique demands of the African market.
Shelter Afrique, recognizing the alignment of the Bwiza Riverside project with its strategy, has entered into a strategic partnership to scale this model in Rwanda and across Africa. This partnership is a significant endorsement of Rwanda’s approach, highlighting the project’s potential for replication and its resonance with Shelter Afrique’s vision of enhancing housing financing and accessibility to sustainable housing solutions across the continent.
The international recognition of Rwanda and ADHI as EDGE Champions by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on this same stage is a testament to the dedication to sustainable development. The EDGE certification underscores their commitment to decarbonizing their building portfolios, aligning with global sustainability objectives.
The financial strategy supporting this initiative, focusing on robust returns and thematic areas such as Green/Climate/Resilience, Gender, Jobs, Islamic finance, and support for IDPs and the Diaspora, has ensured not only financial viability but also facilitated diverse and impactful societal benefits.
Rwanda’s model, now poised for continent-wide scaling through Shelter Afrique’s strategic partnership, stands as a model for addressing urban development challenges in Africa. It demonstrates how strategic partnerships, innovative technology, and a commitment to sustainability and cultural values can transform the affordable housing sector. Rwanda’s success story is not just a national achievement but a guiding framework for other African nations in their quest to provide affordable, sustainable, and culturally resonant housing solutions.
