Shelter Afrique, Afreximbank Partner to Unlock $1bn

By Staff Reporter

Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed a landmark Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) agreement on Thursday in Algeria, Algers expected to unlock more than US$1 billion in investments to transform housing and urban development across Africa.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) by ShafDB Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann, and Afreximbank’s Managing Director for Export Development, Ms. Oluranti Doherty.

The facility is designed to provide early-stage financing to fast-track projects from concept to bankability in sectors such as housing, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial development.

Speaking at the signing, Ms. Doherty said the collaboration will “accelerate sustainable urban development across Africa” and serve as a catalyst for private sector participation. “By combining ShafDB’s expertise in housing and Afreximbank’s project preparation experience, we are poised to deliver transformative projects that promote trade, create jobs, and build economic hubs across the continent,” she added.

Mr. Hann highlighted the structural challenges facing Africa’s housing sector, including a lack of reliable data and inadequate project preparation. He noted that while ShafDB has addressed the data challenge through its VIRAL model, the new partnership with Afreximbank will solve the second barrier by enabling faster, bankable project pipelines. “This is a transformative step toward building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities across Africa,” Hann said.

Both institutions are members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), reinforcing their commitment to collaboration and innovation in advancing Africa’s economic development. The IATF2025, held from 4 to 10 September in Algiers, is projected to generate over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals, further underscoring the significance of such strategic partnerships.

END..