On the occasion of World Habitat Day, a panel brought together key players in the real estate sector, representatives of the United Nations, as well as local experts in Dakar. The theme of this meeting was sustainable urban development in the face of the problem of access to housing; what strategies for industrialization of housing production in Senegal.
The teacher-researcher at the Iba Der Thiam University of Thiès and honorable member of parliament, Bassirou Goudiaby, speaking during the session, underlined the importance of this day for engaging youth in reflection on urban development. According to him, African economies, largely made up of young people, must be involved in this process. Bassirou Goudiaby recalled that access to housing remains a central problem in Senegal. He expressed his conviction that World Habitat Day will serve as a catalyst to advance discussions and put in place strategies adapted to local realities. He also insisted on the importance of the involvement of international actors, highlighting United Nations resolution 4202-A, which allows governments to create a framework for dialogue to reflect on urban planning issues.
Bocar Sy, president of the Association of Banks and Financial Institutions in Senegal, representative of the banking sector, focused on the challenges linked to housing financing, particularly for buyers from the informal sector. He explained that although many Senegalese can afford their housing, they find themselves excluded from the banking system due to the lack of regular income. Bocar Sy also underlined the importance of developing a rental stock adapted to the income of Senegalese people, in particular for young people and workers in the informal sector. For him, one of the big challenges lies in the production of local materials at competitive prices while guaranteeing quality. He also advocated for better financial education to encourage savings and self-financing in housing construction.
The representative of the United Nations, West Africa, Mathias Spal Iviero, taking the floor in turn, broadened the discussion by addressing the legislative and institutional reforms necessary to integrate populations with informal income into the credit system. According to him, the State must play the role of regulator and not of builder, by facilitating access to housing for the most deprived through subsidies. He pointed out that several examples in Africa, such as South Africa or Angola, show that state debt for housing construction is not sustainable. Local production of materials and the involvement of specialized private companies are solutions to consider to overcome this crisis.
Faced with increasing urbanization, particularly in Dakar, the speakers stressed the importance of adopting more compact and ecological urban development. They called for a reduction in carbon emissions, better infrastructure management, and the use of local materials for sustainable construction. However, they also recognized that local production of materials, while desirable, is currently more expensive than using imported materials like cement. The challenge is therefore to encourage local production at competitive costs while respecting sustainability requirements. The State, while playing its role as facilitator, must work hand in hand with real estate developers and banks to put in place viable and sustainable solutions.
LAMINE DIEDHIOU
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