Addis ababa: Ethiopia is making strides in ensuring affordable housing and strengthening urban resilience through conducting various mechanisms, according to Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure. Addressing a high-level panel on housing in Ethiopia and across Africa, Urban and Infrastructure State Minister Hellen Debebe stated that the Government of Ethiopia has been implementing different housing provision mechanisms to alleviate the housing problem.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, more than 200,000 housing units have been renovated and upgraded during the last seven years through the initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The initiative particularly focuses on upgrading houses for vulnerable groups and the elderly. The state minister emphasized the importance of continued partnership among the government, the private sector, civil society, and local communities to transform housing from a challenge into a driver of development.
Hellen Debebe affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening collaboration, especially with Habitat for Humanity, to alleviate housing problems for low-income and vulnerable groups. Habitat for Humanity Africa Vice President Rudo Kayombo underscored the need for strengthening collaboration to reach many states represented by the African Union that still need to make strides in the housing sector. She highlighted the importance of working closely together to address the rising demand for affordable and sustainable housing that can withstand climate change impacts.
The policy frameworks established by continental bodies like the African Union, national governments, and local governments are critical to achieving these goals, as noted by Kayombo. Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia National Director and Representative to the African Union, Yitna Tekaligne, pointed out that the housing challenge in Africa remains profound due to rapid urbanization, affordability gaps, and climate vulnerabilities.
Under the AU’s agenda 2063, adequate housing is recognized as a cornerstone of inclusive development, urban resilience, and social equity, with the aim to address the continent’s housing deficit and promote sustainable urbanization. This collaborative approach is seen as pivotal in unlocking the potential of housing to transform lives and communities across Africa.