Zambia is strengthening its strategic partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) as part of its efforts to promote affordable housing, sustainable urban development and economic growth. The partnership was discussed during a meeting at Charter House, where Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, received a delegation from the African development finance institution. The delegation was led by Shelter Afrique Development Bank Company Secretary, Ms. Sandie Paho Handou. Discussions focused on diplomatic cooperation, institutional coordination and the implementation of the international agreement establishing the bank, which the Government of the Republic of Zambia ratified in 2025. The engagement also provided an opportunity to discuss Zambia’s potential hosting of the bank’s 46th Annual General Meeting, an event expected to attract representatives from across Africa and beyond.
The meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening Zambia’s relationship with Shelter Afrique Development Bank and translating existing commitments into practical cooperation. Both sides discussed the country’s strategic partnership with the institution, particularly the diplomatic and institutional arrangements required to support effective collaboration. Such engagements are important in ensuring that international agreements lead to meaningful programmes and opportunities for national development. Zambia’s participation in the bank’s activities also provides an avenue for deeper engagement with other African countries on housing finance and urban development. Strengthening these relationships could support efforts to address housing challenges while creating opportunities for investment and economic cooperation.
A key issue discussed during the meeting was the domestication of the International Agreement establishing Shelter Afrique Development Bank. Zambia ratified the agreement in 2025, demonstrating its commitment to participating in the institution’s regional development mandate. Domestication involves putting the necessary national legal and institutional arrangements in place to give effect to international agreements within a country’s domestic framework. This process is important because it helps clarify the responsibilities, procedures and mechanisms required for effective implementation. Continued coordination between relevant government institutions and the bank will therefore be important in advancing the strategic partnership.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank plays an important role in supporting affordable housing development across Africa. The institution specialises in financing housing projects and contributing to sustainable urban development in response to the continent’s growing housing needs. Access to affordable and adequate housing remains a major development concern for many African countries, particularly as urban populations continue to expand. Limited access to housing finance, rising construction costs and infrastructure constraints can make home ownership difficult for many households. Through its specialised financing activities, the bank seeks to support initiatives that improve housing availability and strengthen the development of urban communities.
For Zambia, strengthening cooperation with Shelter Afrique Development Bank presents opportunities to advance national housing development priorities. Access to appropriate housing finance can support the construction of residential properties, improve housing supply and encourage greater private-sector participation in the property market. A stronger housing sector can also stimulate economic activity in related industries such as construction, manufacturing, transport and building materials. These industries contribute to employment creation and provide opportunities for local businesses. Strategic cooperation with development finance institutions can therefore support both housing delivery and wider economic development.
The delegation also informed Permanent Secretary Gundersen of Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s intention to host its 46th Annual General Meeting in Zambia. The proposed meeting is expected to bring together state and non-state institutions from Africa and other parts of the world. Such a gathering would provide an important platform for discussions on housing finance, investment opportunities and sustainable urban development. It would also allow Zambia to engage with policymakers, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders involved in the housing sector. Hosting the meeting would create an opportunity for the country to strengthen its profile as a partner in regional development cooperation.
The proposed Annual General Meeting could also provide Zambia with an opportunity to showcase its development priorities and investment potential. International gatherings of this nature bring together organisations and institutions with different areas of expertise and investment interests. Their participation can create opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and the exploration of potential partnerships. For Zambia, the event could help draw attention to opportunities in affordable housing, property development and related infrastructure. It would also provide a platform to demonstrate the country’s commitment to working with African institutions to address shared development challenges.
In welcoming the delegation, Ms. Gundersen expressed appreciation for the initiative and recognised the potential value of hosting the 46th Annual General Meeting in Zambia. She noted that the proposed event would provide a useful platform for advancing the country’s economic development priorities. She also linked the opportunity to the targets outlined under President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda. The agenda places emphasis on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening productive sectors and improving the livelihoods of citizens. According to the Permanent Secretary, partnerships that encourage investment and regional cooperation can contribute to achieving these broader national objectives.
The connection between affordable housing and the Grow Zambia Agenda is particularly important because housing development can stimulate several areas of the economy. Construction projects create demand for labour, building materials, transport services and technical expertise. They can also provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in supply chains and related services. When housing developments include appropriate infrastructure and access to essential services, they can contribute to more organised and sustainable urban growth. Cooperation with Shelter Afrique Development Bank could therefore help Zambia explore financing approaches that support housing delivery while creating wider economic benefits.
Sustainable urban development is another important area connected to the proposed partnership. As towns and cities expand, governments must address growing demand for housing, infrastructure, transport and basic services. Poorly planned urban expansion can place pressure on existing facilities and create difficulties for communities. Sustainable housing development requires coordinated planning, appropriate financing and consideration of the long-term needs of residents. Development finance institutions such as Shelter Afrique Development Bank can contribute by supporting housing initiatives that align with broader urban development objectives.
The proposed hosting of the 46th Annual General Meeting would also strengthen Zambia’s engagement with other African countries on common housing challenges. Many countries across the continent face similar difficulties in providing affordable housing for growing populations. Regional cooperation allows governments and development institutions to exchange experiences, explore innovative financing arrangements and identify approaches that can be adapted to different national circumstances. Zambia’s participation in these discussions could help strengthen its understanding of emerging housing finance opportunities. It could also encourage stronger partnerships between local institutions and international development organisations.
Institutional coordination will remain essential to ensuring that the strategic partnership produces practical results. Government ministries, relevant public institutions and development finance organisations need to maintain clear communication and establish effective working arrangements. This is particularly important when implementing international agreements and exploring financing opportunities that involve several stakeholders. Effective coordination can help reduce administrative challenges and ensure that proposed initiatives align with national development priorities. The meeting at Charter House demonstrated the importance of continued diplomatic engagement in supporting these processes.
Zambia’s relationship with Shelter Afrique Development Bank reflects the growing importance of African-led financial institutions in addressing the continent’s development needs. Affordable housing is not only a social priority but also an important economic sector with the potential to support investment, industrial activity and employment creation. Stronger partnerships can help countries mobilise financing and technical expertise for housing programmes that might otherwise face funding limitations. By deepening its engagement with ShafDB, Zambia has an opportunity to explore additional avenues for supporting its housing and urban development ambitions. The proposed Annual General Meeting could further strengthen this relationship by bringing important regional and international stakeholders to the country.
The engagement between Permanent Secretary Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen and the Shelter Afrique Development Bank delegation represents an important step in strengthening Zambia’s cooperation with the African housing finance institution. Discussions on diplomatic relations, institutional coordination and the domestication of the bank’s establishing agreement provide a foundation for advancing the strategic partnership. The proposed hosting of the 46th Annual General Meeting could also create opportunities to promote Zambia’s investment potential and showcase its commitment to sustainable housing development. As the country pursues the Grow Zambia Agenda, partnerships that support affordable housing, economic growth and improved livelihoods will remain important. Turning these discussions into practical programmes and investment opportunities will be essential to ensuring that the relationship delivers lasting benefits for Zambia and the wider African region.