By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shelter Afrique Development Bank and TAF Global Africa for the construction of affordable homes and university student hostels across the country.
The agreement was signed on Thursday, 11 June 2026, during the Annual General Meeting of Shelter Afrique Development Bank held in Rabat, Morocco.
The partnership marks a significant step in the Government’s efforts to address the country’s housing deficit and expand access to decent accommodation, particularly for university students. It also reflects the Ministry’s ongoing legal and policy reforms aimed at creating a more sustainable and modern housing sector.
Speaking on the initiative, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, emphasized that the collaboration with Shelter Afrique and TAF Global Africa is part of the Government’s broader agenda to improve the welfare of Sierra Leoneans by increasing access to affordable housing and quality student accommodation.
The signing of the MOU follows a high-level engagement held on the margins of the 45th Annual General Meeting of Shelter Afrique Development Bank on 9 June 2026, where Dr. Senesie sought the institution’s support for two priority projects: mortgage financing for low-income earners and the development of student hostels in partnership with TAF Global Africa.
During that engagement, the Minister outlined the Government’s ongoing reforms in the housing sector, including the enactment of the Country Planning Act 2025, which replaced a 75-year-old law and introduced a modern framework for development control and city zoning.
He also disclosed that Sierra Leone is drafting its first-ever Building Codes Act, which is expected to strengthen safety standards, promote public health, reduce structural failures, mitigate natural disasters and fire risks, and improve energy efficiency in the construction sector.
Additionally, the Government is reviewing the national Housing Policy, a process expected to lead to the introduction of a comprehensive Housing Act and supporting regulations. Dr. Senesie highlighted the Government’s joint venture arrangements with private developers, particularly TAF Global Africa, which is spearheading affordable housing initiatives across the country.
The Minister stressed that expanding mortgage financing for low-income earners and providing adequate student accommodation are critical to addressing Sierra Leone’s housing challenges and promoting sustainable urban development.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank welcomed the Government’s commitment to bridging the housing gap and expressed its readiness to support the country’s housing transformation agenda.
With the signing of the MOU, the Government of Sierra Leone, Shelter Afrique Development Bank, and TAF Global Africa are expected to work closely together to significantly enhance housing delivery and create more affordable accommodation opportunities for citizens.
Present at the signing ceremony were Shelter Afrique’s Chief Finance Officer, Beatrice Mburu, and Chief Business Officer, Gibson Mapfidza. The Minister was accompanied by the Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Lands, Dr. Alphajor Cham, while TAF Global Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Mustapha Njie, also attended the Annual General Meeting.
The agreement underscores the Government’s commitment to making shelter a central pillar of national development and ensuring that more
Sierra Leoneans, especially young people pursuing higher education, have access to safe and affordable housing.
