The University of Nairobi, Faculty of Built Environment and Design, held a strategic partnership meeting with Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025 at Shelter Afrique Headquarters. The meeting brought together representatives from both institutions to explore collaboration opportunities aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and technical capacity in the affordable housing sector.

The Shelter Afrique delegation was led by Mr. Charles Kazuka, Director of Human Capital, who chaired the session. The team also included Dr. Muhammad Gambo (Manager, Research and Strategy Unit), Mr. Kunmi Odufuye and Mr. Brian Njuguna from Shared Technical Services (STS), and Mr. Bill Bwana, Strategy and Research Officer. The University of Nairobi team comprised Mr Nicky M. Nzioki, Ms. Catherine Warue Kariuki, and Mr. Kirk Kimaru Katwa, from the Department of Real Estate, Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying (RECMQS). An apology was received from Arch. Peter Njeru Njue, the Department Chair.

Mr. Kazuka welcomed the delegation and expressed enthusiastic support for a strategic partnership, noting the natural alignment between Shelter Afrique’s development mandate and the University’s academic and technical expertise. He highlighted the Bank’s need for capacity building, emerging talent, and research-driven innovation in housing, urban development, and construction technologies.

The University of Nairobi presented a comprehensive partnership proposal, led by Ms. Catherine Kariuki and Mr. Nicky Nzioki, outlining various forms of collaboration. These include joint research on affordable housing and construction innovation, industrial attachments and internships, professional exchanges, executive training, advisory services, and a shared pool of consultants and technical experts. Mr. Nzioki further presented a structured framework for partnership focused on four pillars: Research & Development, Capacity Building & Knowledge Transfer, Technical Advisory Services, and Talent Pipeline Development.

Key discussions centered on opportunities for co-authored publications, joint funding applications, and collaboration in policy research. Dr. Gambo emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry, noting that the partnership would enhance graduate preparedness for real-world demands while contributing to Africa’s knowledge base on housing solutions. He underscored Shelter Afrique’s mandate arising from the African Union Addis Ababa Declaration and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting research and innovation for affordable and sustainable housing.

Participants agreed on immediate next steps including identifying priority areas for implementation and drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership targets the establishment of a ShafDB–RECMQS Affordable Housing Innovation & Knowledge Hub, and the development of annual housing market reports, executive courses, student and staff exchanges, and pilot demonstrations of climate-resilient and innovative construction technologies. The target for finalizing and signing the MoU is February 2026.

Additional areas discussed under Any Other Business included opportunities for Corporate Social Responsibility collaboration and review of longstanding student award amounts. Shelter Afrique agreed to an internal review of the awards.

In closing, Mr. Kazuka thanked the University of Nairobi delegation for their comprehensive proposal and constructive engagement, noting that the partnership had been long overdue. He emphasized Shelter Afrique’s dedication to moving forward with purpose and welcomed continued consultations as the partnership framework is finalized.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen institutional collaboration, strengthen research and knowledge exchange, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of affordable, sustainable housing solutions in Kenya and across the continent.