African Union Fee Champions Satisfactory Housing and City Resilience on the Second Africa City Discussion board
Satisfactory housing is a cornerstone of sustainable city progress
The African Union Fee (AUC) has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable city improvement throughout the continent on the Second Africa City Discussion board, held 8-10 April 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, beneath the theme: “Satisfactory Housing for All: Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation in the direction of the Realisation of Agenda 2063.”
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H.E. Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, in formally opening the Discussion board, burdened Kenya’s dedication and strategic funding in reasonably priced and secure social housing comprising roughly 270,000 items throughout 200 websites within the nation. This has ushered in outstanding city transformation, livelihood and financial empowerment and the muse for a resilient city future in Kenya.
In his assertion, delivered by H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Improvement, Blue Economic system and Sustainable Atmosphere (ARBE) on his behalf, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Fee (AUC), emphasised that enough housing will not be solely a basic human proper but additionally a cornerstone of financial productiveness, social stability, and sustainable city progress. He underscored “Housing should stay central to Africa’s improvement agenda, as cities proceed to drive transformation throughout the continent“.
The Chairperson famous that “Africa’s city future will form the success of Agenda 2063,” emphasising that well-managed urbanisation can foster industrialisation, peace, and improved high quality of life for all Africans.
Taking the ground, Hon. Alice Wahome, EGH, Cupboard Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and City Improvement of Kenya, offered an summary of the Republic of Kenya’s key initiatives to advance sustainable urbanisation and create resilient cities and concrete centres throughout the nation.
The Discussion board, convened as a flagship continental platform of the African Union, brings collectively Heads of State, policymakers, native governments, improvement companions, private-sector actors, and civil society to handle the alternatives and challenges posed by Africa’s speedy urbanisation. The AU Fee highlighted that Africa is experiencing the world’s quickest city transition, positioning cities on the coronary heart of financial progress, regional integration, and social transformation.
The Fee additionally burdened the significance of aligning city improvement with the AU’s 2026 Theme on “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Secure Sanitation Techniques to Obtain the Objectives of Agenda 2063” and accelerating the implementation of the Africa Water Imaginative and prescient and Coverage 2063, recognising the vital function of water entry in reaching enough housing and public well being outcomes.
The AUC-led report titled “City Resilience in Africa: A continental overview” was formally launched by H.E. President Dr William Ruto, H.E. Moses Vilakati, and H.E. Anacláudia Rossbach. The report is the result of a partnership with the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa, the United Nations Improvement Programme, and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), with help from the United Nations College. It offers data of the state of city resilience on the continent, in addition to gaps and alternatives for the sustainable improvement of city centres in Africa.
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The AU Fee known as on Member States, Regional Financial Communities (RECs), and native governments to strengthen political management, spend money on inclusive city methods, and speed up the implementation of commitments made because the inaugural Discussion board in 2024. It additional urged stakeholders to make sure that the forthcoming Nairobi Declaration delivers actionable, measurable outcomes that can drive actual change throughout African cities.
Concerning the Africa City Resilience Programme (AURP)
The Africa City Resilience Programme (AURP) was developed by the African Union Fee (AUC), with help from the Authorities of Sweden and the United Nations Improvement Programme (UNDP) by way of the Sahel Resilience Mission. The AURP is a continental framework designed to strengthen regional and nationwide city danger administration insurance policies, plans, and the institutional capacities of Member States to handle city dangers.
Moreover, the European Union, by way of the eleventh European Improvement Fund (EDF) Intra-ACP Pure Catastrophe Threat Programme, performed a catalytic function in supporting the event of the AURP.
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About Resilience Initiative Africa
The ‘Resilience Initiative Africa‘ (RIA) is a regional mission supported by Germany that goals to extend the capacities of regional, nationwide, native state, and non-state actors for risk-informed city improvement in Africa. One essential a part of RIA is the help for the Africa City Resilience Programme (AURP). The mission is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Financial Cooperation and Improvement (BMZ) and carried out by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and its mission companions.
Concerning the Aqinile Partnership (AUC-UNDP-UN-Habitat)
‘Aqinile’, which implies ‘They’re sturdy, they will stand up to’ within the Zulu language, displays the ethos and ambition for constructing resilience in city Africa. AUC, UNDP, UN-Habitat, and UNEP have joined forces by way of the Aqinile partnership to ship risk-reduction and resilience-building efforts, accelerating risk-informed improvement throughout the continent. The partnership serves as an implementation mechanism for the Africa City Resilience Programme, which promotes intersectoral coordination and advocates for city resilience amongst AU Member States and Regional Financial Communities (RECs).
