Housing markets are critical to economic growth, social shelter and financial sector stability. In emerging economies, the demand for housing finance is increasing as the result of urbanization, demographic and economic growth. Housing finance accounts for a sizeable part of the financial sector, and is critical to its overall soundness and accessibility. The recent global crisis, even though it created uncertainties, also stresses the importance of tailoring adequate solutions to developing sound and accessible systems.

Housing finance markets have been changing dramatically across Africa. As housing finance keeps growing to match the rising demand for housing, new risk management approaches, business models, funding tools, and policy instruments can help expand markets, increase access to affordable housing, and contribute to countries’ strategies for sheltering the poor. Yet many questions remain about the right balance between innovation and regulation, the extent of risks to the financial system, and appropriate measures for promoting affordable housing. These are the questions that this workshop will aim to answer by setting out best practice with the help of guest speakers and subject matter experts.

Sub-Saharan Africa is transforming its housing finance systems and both policy makers and private practitioners need cutting-edge information on innovation in the sector. This program addresses that need by providing an intensive period of education in policy innovations and institutional, financial and managerial aspects of housing finance, focused on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

• To provide a condensed version of the full Wharton course, but tailored for SSA countries. The Samuel Zell/Lurie Real Estate Centre of the Wharton School is the world’s leading international educational institution in providing high level training to policymakers on housing and housing finance issues.
• To introduce innovation and best practice from around the world in the delivery of housing finance products, risk management of housing finance, policy making and in increasing accessibility to housing finance for lower income groups.
• To help build a lasting legacy from the course by including academics as participants who will be able to teach some of the materials to their own students. By involving local teachers and presenters as much as possible, it is hoped that local expertise can be built up.
  

Target Audience

The course will benefit the following housing finance stakeholders:

• International housing finance industry and policymakers
• Academic institutions and professional trade associations in emerging economies
• Governments in the process of transforming their housing policies and housing finance institutions.

Registration Fee
The fee for participation is US$1000 per person. This fee applies to participation in all sessions, course materials, lunch and refreshments. The fee does not include travel or accommodation expenses, which should be planned by each participant. To secure your place at this workshop, kindly complete the registration form and follow the payment instructions below.

Credit Cards [Visa, MasterCard, AMEX]
Kindly submit credit card number and expiration date to:
Uloaku Echebiri 
Phone: +1-202-473-9501

Check *Please indicate your name on the check*
Please make check payable to International Finance Corporation 
Mail to: Uloaku Echebiri
World Bank/International Finance Corporation
Mail Stop F 4K-405
2121 Pennsylvania Ave, NW,
Washington, DC 20433, USA

Wire Transfer
Please contact Uloaku Echebiri for details

Accommodation
Rooms are available at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies. *Details to follow on securing accommodation*

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