The Zambian government has called for support from the international community to help it in developing sustainable human settlement initiatives, with an emphasis on providing decent housing, municipal services and social amenities in informal settlements.

The call came at the 12th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), which was officially opened on November 4 by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi which Zambia is participating in.

Represented by Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, Engineer Charles Milupi, and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo at the forum which has the theme, “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities,” the East African country emphasized the importance of local efforts in achieving global sustainability goals.

Zambia Monitor reports that during a courtesy visit to the Zambian Mission, Nkombo emphasized government’s commitment to sustainable human settlements, highlighting the development of Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) across all 116 districts in Zambia.

“Zambia’s participation reflects its dedication to realising the New Urban Agenda’s goals of well-managed urbanization by 2030,” Nkombo was quoted as saying.

He further outlined the government’s Urban Renewal Programme, which aimed to upgrade unplanned settlements, starting with Kanyama Compound in Lusaka and called on private financiers to collaborate with the government through public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund these upgrades.

“We urge stakeholders to join us in providing decent housing, municipal services, and social amenities in informal settlements through the PPP model,” he said.

He added to address development disparities between rural and urban areas, the government was advancing its decentralization agenda, empowering local authorities by increasing both functional and fiscal capacities through devolution.

In his remarks, Engineer Milupi highlighted Zambia’s need for additional investors to help reduce the country’s housing deficit, currently estimated at 1.5 A units.

Nigeria and Rwanda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries.

The MoU which was sealed on Thursday by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
and Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) was signed at the ongoing 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair. It aims to deepen economic ties and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

In a statement issued by the Head of Communication of the Rwanda Embassy in Nigeria, Maureen Chukwura, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Christophe Bazivamo said the partnership is a shared vision of fostering a vibrant, interconnected African business landscape and affirmed Rwanda’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for business growth.

He added that the partnership will focus on various areas of cooperation, including trade facilitation, investment promotion, capacity building, and joint events organisation.

“This MOU is a testament to our shared vision—a vision of a vibrant and interconnected African business landscape where Rwanda and Nigeria stand as beacons of economic collaboration and mutual growth,” he said.

“The Rwandan government is fully committed to supporting this endeavour. We have implemented policies to streamline business procedures, enhance infrastructure, and promote a conducive investment climate, ” he added.

According to the statement, the MoU outlines specific steps to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, particularly in Rwandan coffee and tea production, as well as energy, manufacturing, technology, and creative industries.

Under the agreement, the LCCI and PSF Rwanda will work to streamline trade procedures, promote cross-border investment, share relevant market information, and build business capacities through joint workshops and training programs.

“The partnership is expected to open new markets, create job opportunities, and strengthen business networks in both countries.

“The two parties plan to organise trade missions and business-to-business meetings and participate in each other’s trade fairs. These activities are set to begin in early 2025, with preliminary virtual meetings and visits planned,” the envoy stated.