Shelter Afrique in affordable housing contractors training

Shelter Afrique Chief Executive Andrew Chimphondah. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By JAMES KARIUKI
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Summary

• Pan-African housing financier Shelter Afrique has partnered with PPP Training Online Limited to train local contractors participating in affordable housing projects.
• Speaking in Nairobi, Shelter Afrique Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chimphondah said the training will enhance the skills of investors and developers in structuring and managing affordable housing PPP projects.

Pan-African housing financier Shelter Afrique has partnered with PPP Training Online Limited to train local contractors participating in affordable housing projects.

Speaking in Nairobi, Shelter Afrique Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chimphondah said the training will enhance the skills of investors and developers in structuring and managing affordable housing PPP projects.

“As a pan-African finance institution that supports mass housing developments in Africa, this strategic partnership with PPPTO will be key in the delivery of affordable housing,” he said.

The certification programme on offer was created by the World Bank Group (WBG), Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

The signing of the MOU by the lender’s chief executive and PPPTO chief executive Andre Kruger will be handled by Shelter Afrique’s Centre of Excellence where several Kenyan contractors and investors have since undertaken the programme.

Mr Chimphondah said the move was aimed at fast-tracking deployment of projects with the private sector players being enabled to play a greater role in affordable housing delivery in Africa.

“Participants in these courses will understand the infrastructure procurement alternatives, the potential use of PPP procurement methodologies, the pitfalls and challenges with the PPP methodologies, project finance principles and the importance of long term contract management,” Mr. Chimphondah said.

The government has earmarked affordable housing as one of its four key development items and has invited private players to partner in development of affordable housing schemes in urban centres.

Under the PPP arrangement, the government avails land for housing development, with private sector partners tasked with sourcing funds, designing and constructing the houses.

Upon completion, the government will pay off the contractor allowing Kenyans to buy the houses at subsidised fees.