Addis ababa: Ethiopia remains committed to working hand-in-hand with partners to expand access to affordable housing, strengthen urban resilience, and uplift the most vulnerable groups, according to the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, a high-level panel discussion was organized by Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Africa Area Office on housing in Ethiopia and across Africa. The event took place in Addis Ababa, aiming to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders, share best practices, and co-create actionable strategies to advance inclusive housing in Ethiopia and across Africa. The discussion explored scalable, inclusive, and sustainable housing solutions to address Africa’s growing urban challenges.
Addressing the high-level panel, State Minister at the Ministry Hellen Debebe highlighted that housing is more than just a shelter; it serves as a foundation for dignity, security, and economic opportunity. She emphasized its centrality to the nation’s development priorities. Debebe reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborate with partners to expand access to affordable housing, strengthen urban resilience, and support the most vulnerable groups. She affirmed that the Ethiopian government is working on various housing provision mechanisms to alleviate housing problems.
Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford stressed the need to shift from a focus on shelter to a systemic approach in order to advance inclusive and sustainable housing solutions across Africa. Reckford underscored the importance of transitioning from shelter to system to achieve inclusive and sustainable housing. He also highlighted the necessity of building a climate-resilient environment to ensure safe and healthy housing for the community.
Similarly, Judith Nabakooba, Chairperson of AU-STC No.8 on Housing and Urbanization, highlighted the importance of advancing affordable housing, targeted capacity building, increased coordination, and sharing experiences. She emphasized the need for concrete actions to address the growing housing challenges, particularly in urban areas. Ensuring inclusive, sustainable housing is a priority under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which recognizes adequate housing as a cornerstone of inclusive development, urban resilience, and social equity. The agenda aims to address the continent’s housing deficit and promote sustainable urbanization.