Morocco: Morocco serves as a model in housing finance, having successfully developed tailored solutions to meet the needs of households, particularly through guarantee mechanisms that facilitate access to credit, emphasized Lionel Zinsou, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) on Tuesday in Rabat.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, speaking at the opening of ShafDB’s 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Zinsou highlighted the progress achieved by Morocco in integrating the informal sector into the financial system, thanks to digitization, more efficient data use, and the deployment of mechanisms to assess the creditworthiness of populations traditionally excluded from bank financing.
These developments are helping to expand access to credit for low-income and middle-class populations, he continued, noting that the outstanding balance of loans granted to households and businesses now exceeds 100% of GDP (gross domestic product), a distinctive feature of the Moroccan financial ecosystem.
The official also praised the progress made by the Kingdom in the field of energy transition, describing Morocco’s energy mix as ‘impressive.’
He then noted that preparations for hosting the World Cup should further accelerate projects related to urban mobility, sustainable infrastructure, and regional modernization, making Morocco a true source of inspiration for other African countries.
For his part, the Institution’s Director General, Thierno Habib Hann, noted that Morocco stands as a successful example of transformation, demonstrating that change is possible when it is grounded in a vision rooted in continuity, institutions acting in a coordinated manner, and public policy focused on improving people’s living conditions.
Addressing the continent’s urban challenges, Hann explained that issues related to housing, rapid urbanization, and population growth now place cities at the heart of Africa’s development dynamics.
He noted that the theme of this 45th General Assembly, ‘The Future of Cities: Financing Inclusive, Green, and Resilient Urban Development,’ fully reflects the transformations and structural challenges facing the continent.
This three-day event serves as a strategic platform for dialogue on the continent’s urban priorities, the mobilization of innovative funding, and strengthening partnerships in support of sustainable and inclusive cities.
The agenda for this AGM, to be attended by ministers responsible for housing, finance, and urban development from member states, representatives of regional and international financial institutions, real estate developers, institutional investors, and technical experts, includes, in particular, an annual symposium, a ministerial roundtable, the institution’s statutory meetings, business sessions, as well as several bilateral meetings between investors and stakeholders in the housing and urban infrastructure sectors.