By Emma Black
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning in Sierra Leone has unveiled a transformative partnership with Shelter Afrique, a pan-African housing finance institution, to address the nation’s housing challenges. This collaboration includes a $20 million mortgage credit line with the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) to enhance access to affordable housing finance for lower- and middle-income families. Additionally, a separate financial facility will revitalize the Sierra Leone Housing Corporation (SALHOC), strengthening its capacity to deliver social housing solutions across the country.
In a significant regional development, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, has been appointed by Shelter Afrique to chair the Technical Committee of the ECOWAS Housing Ministers. This appointment follows extensive engagements, including Dr. Senesie’s participation in Shelter Afrique’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Algeria earlier this year, where discussions underscored a shared commitment to expanding housing opportunities in Sierra Leone and the broader ECOWAS region.
The $20 million SLCB mortgage credit line aims to make homeownership more accessible by offering affordable financing options to Sierra Leoneans, a critical step toward addressing the country’s housing deficit. Concurrently, the SALHOC revitalization initiative will bolster the corporation’s ability to develop and manage social housing projects, prioritizing durable and cost-effective homes for underserved communities. These initiatives align with the Ministry’s “Housing for All” agenda, leveraging Shelter Afrique’s expertise and partnerships with local financial institutions to accelerate housing delivery nationwide.
Dr. Turad Senesie emphasized the significance of these developments, stating, Access to affordable housing is a cornerstone of our governance agenda. The SLCB mortgage credit line and SALHOC revitalization are pivotal steps in translating policy into action, ensuring that lower- and middle-income families can secure homes and build brighter futures.
This partnership reflects Sierra Leone’s proactive approach to addressing housing challenges through innovative financing and regional collaboration. As Chair of the ECOWAS Technical Committee, Dr. Senesie will play a key role in shaping housing policies across West Africa, amplifying Sierra Leone’s voice in regional development efforts.
The Ministry and Shelter Afrique remain committed to delivering tangible benefits to Sierra Leoneans, with plans to expand these initiatives to meet the growing demand for affordable, sustainable housing. This landmark collaboration marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s journey toward inclusive and equitable housing solutions.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday,20th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
