Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, recently attended the 45th Annual General Meeting of Shelter Afrique in Rabat, Morocco, seeking financial support for housing initiatives. Dr. Senesie’s participation was driven by "the urgent need to secure financing mechanisms that would enable more Sierra Leoneans, particularly low-income earners, to own homes while also supporting the construction of quality accommodation facilities for students." He emphasized the importance of a proposed mortgage financing scheme and student housing project, describing them as "critical interventions needed to reduce the country’s housing deficit and strengthen urban resilience and safety." Shelter Afrique's Chief Finance Officer, Beatrice Mburu, and Chief Business Officer, Gibson Mapfidza, were also present at the meeting. Dr. Senesie noted the government's legislative efforts, stating, "The Government has enacted the new Country Planning Act 2025, replacing a 75-year-old law that had become outdated and no longer responsive to modern development needs." He added that this new legislation "empowers local councils to play a central role in development control and introduces clear zoning classifications for residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments, thereby creating a more structured and sustainable approach to urban planning." The proposed law is also "expected to establish strict construction and safety standards aimed at protecting public health, reducing structural failures, mitigating fire and natural disaster risks and promoting energy-efficient building practices."
Housing Policy Reforms
The Government of Sierra Leone recently enacted the new Country Planning Act 2025, which replaced a 75-year-old law that officials deemed outdated. Sierra Leone is also developing a full Building Codes Act to further strengthen its regulatory framework. Concurrently, the country’s National Housing Policy is under review, a process expected to culminate in the introduction of a new Housing Act. These legislative and policy initiatives aim to modernize the nation's approach to urban development and housing provision. Mustapha Njie, Chief Executive Officer of TAF Global Africa, was also present during discussions regarding these reforms.
Key Development Projects
Sierra Leone is actively seeking support from Shelter Afrique for initiatives aimed at improving housing accessibility, including mortgage financing specifically for low-income earners. The country also seeks assistance for the development of modern student hostels. The student housing project represents a partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and TAF Global Africa, a private developer.
In addition to the student housing scheme, the government is implementing joint venture housing projects with private developers, including TAF Global Africa, as part of broader efforts to address housing needs. These projects are intended to contribute to the overall housing supply within the country. Dr. Alphajor Cham, Director of Policy and Planning, was part of the Sierra Leone delegation present during these discussions, showing the government's commitment to advancing its housing agenda through strategic partnerships and financial support. These discussions took place during the 45th Annual General Meeting of Shelter Afrique in Rabat, Morocco.
Minister's Strategic Vision
The meeting between Sierra Leonean officials and Shelter Afrique representatives took place on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, in Rabat, Morocco. Dr. Turad Senesie, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, attended the 45th Annual General Meeting of Shelter Afrique, aiming to secure financial support for key housing initiatives. The Minister’s participation was driven by "the urgent need to secure financing mechanisms that would enable more Sierra Leoneans, particularly low-income earners, to own homes while also supporting the construction of quality accommodation facilities for students." He emphasized the importance of a proposed mortgage financing scheme and a student housing project, describing them as "critical interventions needed to reduce the country’s housing deficit and strengthen urban resilience and safety."
Shelter Afrique’s Chief Finance Officer, Beatrice Mburu, and Chief Business Officer, Gibson Mapfidza, were present during these discussions. Dr. Senesie also noted the government's legislative efforts, stating that "The Government has enacted the new Country Planning Act 2025, replacing a 75-year-old law that had become outdated and no longer responsive to modern development needs." He further explained that this new legislation "empowers local councils to play a central role in development control and introduces clear zoning classifications for residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use developments, thereby creating a more structured and sustainable approach to urban planning." The proposed law is also "expected to establish strict construction and safety standards aimed at protecting public health, reducing structural failures, mitigating fire and natural disaster risks and promoting energy-efficient building practices."
