Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme has emerged as a leading reference point for sustainable urban development, President William Ruto has said, as he spotlighted the country’s experience at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Speaking during the high-level forum at the Baku Convention Center, President Ruto said Kenya’s approach to housing is gaining international recognition for its focus on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and social transformation, particularly in rapidly urbanising societies.
“Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme continues to gain global recognition as one of Africa’s leading models for sustainable urban development, inclusive growth, and social transformation,” Ruto said.
He noted that the future of global urbanisation will be heavily shaped by Africa and Asia, projecting that by 2050, most urban population growth will be concentrated in the two regions.
According to him, this shift makes affordable housing a central policy priority for governments and development partners.
“By 2050, most urban growth will be concentrated in Africa and Asia, making affordable housing one of the defining priorities of our time,” he said.
The President used the platform to call for reforms in the global financial system, arguing that current structures limit Africa’s ability to fully finance its development agenda.
He stressed the need for fairer access to capital for countries in the Global South, even as African states increase reliance on domestic resources.
“Meeting this demand requires reform of the international financial architecture to address financing inequalities affecting Africa and the Global South,” he said, adding that Africa is also strengthening its own institutions and mobilising local revenue to support development.
Ruto highlighted Kenya’s Housing Levy as a key example of domestic resource mobilisation, saying it has enabled citizens to directly contribute to national development projects. He commended Kenyans for supporting the initiative, describing it as central to addressing rapid urbanisation challenges.
“We commend the people of Kenya for demonstrating how locally mobilised resources through the Housing Levy can help address the challenges of rapid urbanisation,” he said.
He further pointed to the programme’s broader impact, including the transformation of informal settlements, job creation, and support for small and medium enterprises within the construction value chain.
Ruto said Kenya’s housing strategy is not only about shelter but also about building climate-resilient communities and driving economic opportunity. He described it as one of Africa’s most ambitious urban transformation efforts, positioning the country as a key player in shaping global housing discourse.