ShafDB and Afreximbank have signed a joint project preparation agreement that will unlock at least US$1 billion in investments to support housing, infrastructure, and urban development across Africa.
The deal was signed on the sidelines of the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers by ShafDB Managing Director and CEO Thierno-Habib Hann and Afreximbank’s Managing Director for Export Development Oluranti Doherty.
The initiative is designed to move projects quickly from concept to bankability, ensuring faster and more effective implementation.
The facility will prioritize areas such as housing, healthcare, hospitality, construction, industrial and commercial infrastructure, manufacturing of building materials, and logistical hubs including industrial zones and special economic zones.
It will also include training programs to strengthen ShafDB staff capacity in preparing and managing viable projects.
Oluranti Doherty said the partnership was an important step in advancing sustainable urban growth on the continent.
She explained that bringing together ShafDB’s expertise in housing and Afreximbank’s experience in project preparation would open the door to high-quality investments that promote trade, job creation, and stronger economies.
She added that the facility would act as a catalyst for private sector participation and lead to significant socio-economic impact.
Thierno-Habib Hann noted that Africa’s housing and urban development sector struggles with two key challenges—limited reliable data and poor project preparation.
He pointed out that ShafDB had already addressed the first through its VIRAL model, which provides data-driven insights for decision-making.
The new partnership, he said, will address the second by ensuring projects are designed and delivered with speed and precision, unlocking over US$1 billion in investments and paving the way for more resilient and sustainable cities.
Both institutions are members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions, highlighting their commitment to collaboration in driving Africa’s development agenda.
The Intra-African Trade Fair 2025, held from September 4 to 10, is expected to have generated deals worth more than US$44 billion.
