Rwanda faces an acute housing crisis. Rapid urbanisation drives an urgent requirement for new housing units, with demand of 31,000 units against 1000 new constructions just in the capital city, Kigali. A huge factor in the shortage of housing supply is the ongoing challenge of affordability, with average waged citizens priced out of the traditional market, and the real estate and construction sector of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) unable to access the finance to solve the problems through the market. Unlocking new private capital of $331 billion needed for SME growth in Africa to finance affordable housing and general development in countries like Rwanda, is one of the greatest challenges for governments, philanthropists, and private investors.
[Read more…] about All on-board to unlock diaspora finance for growth in AfricaNews
JOB ALERT – Final Independent Evaluation Consultant
AFFORD UK are looking for an independent Evaluator to provide a synthesis of the Diaspora Finance Initiative (DFI). The DFI programme is funded by DFID and Comic Relief and has been implemented since 2016. Its aim is to stimulate economic activity, support job creation and economic and social development in Africa (initially in targeted areas of Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe), as a result of increased and diversified diaspora finance, investments and volunteering.
[Read more…] about JOB ALERT – Final Independent Evaluation ConsultantAU CIDO Business Bootcamp
The African Union Commission (AUC)’s Diaspora division CIDO held a Business Bootcamp in Dar Es Saalam, Tanzania. The AFFORD Business Club (ABC) manager attended to share expertise and experience. The Boot camp welcomed 21 entrepreneurs from 17 African Countries with businesses ranging from agriculture, agri-processing to tech, education and beauty products made from African natural ingredients.
[Read more…] about AU CIDO Business BootcampAFFORD celebrates 25 years of diaspora impact in Africa with a conference focused on the role of the diaspora in financing major infrastructural development
In July 2019, AFFORD marks its 25th anniversary with a call to the African diaspora to do more for the growth and development of Africa. Going beyond sending money home, the diaspora should now seek opportunities that will target key strategic sectors in order to transform Africa in the next 25 years.
[Read more…] about AFFORD celebrates 25 years of diaspora impact in Africa with a conference focused on the role of the diaspora in financing major infrastructural developmentABC Renewable Energy Roundtable
The ABC held its monthly ABC Connect event on Thursday 25th July. This month’s event themed African Renewable Energy Roundtable had guest speakers Mariama Kamara of Smiling Through Light and Peter Weston of Energy 4 Impact.
[Read more…] about ABC Renewable Energy RoundtableReport Launched: Visa Problems for African Visitors to the UK
“Home Office data on visa refusals shows that African applicants are more than twice as likely to be refused a UK visa than applicants from any other part of the world. The UK has good relations with most African countries, but it needs to be recognised that no single issue does more damage to the image or influence of the UK in Africa than this visa question.”
[Read more…] about Report Launched: Visa Problems for African Visitors to the UK