Shelter Afrique engages African leaders at 39th AU summit in Addis Ababa
Date: 2026-03-01
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Thierno-Habib
Hann, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shelter Afrique, has led
the institution’s delegation to the 39th African Union Heads of State Summit in
Addis Ababa alongside newly elected Board Chairman Lionel Zinsou.
The
summit, convened by the African Union, focused on the theme “Assuring
Sustainable Water and Safe Sanitation,” highlighting the link between essential
services and adequate housing across the continent.
During
high-level engagements with heads of state and member country delegations,
Shelter Afrique emphasized the urgency of addressing Africa’s housing deficit
amid rapid urbanization and population growth. Discussions centered on
positioning adequate housing and urban development as national priorities.
Summit
highlights included the return of Guinea and Gabon to the African Union and the
appointment of Burundi to the chairmanship.
Shelter
Afrique also participated in a Presidential Breakfast convened by the AU and
the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions, which resulted in
the signing of a $1.5 billion Infrastructure Financing Facility agreement with
AUDA-NEPAD. The facility is intended to support African-led development
initiatives, promote regional integration and reduce reliance on external
borrowing.
As
a founding member of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial
Institutions, Shelter Afrique announced that Hann has assumed the role of
Second Vice Chair of the alliance’s Governing Council. He will serve alongside
Chair Dr. Corneille Karekezi and First Vice Chair Manuel Moses.
Looking
ahead to the Second African Urban Forum scheduled to take place in Nairobi from
April 8 to 10, Shelter Afrique said it will continue to mobilize resources and
foster partnerships aimed at advancing sustainable urban transformation across
Africa.
