About

Today, one billion people live in slums and informal settlements. This population is set to increase by another 2 billion by 2050, with the largest proportion of slumdwellers residing in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Having been excluded from the urban fabric for decades, residents of slums and informal settlements, particularly women and children, bear a disproportionate burden of poverty. Marginalized from formal development processes, these communities lack of access to housing, water, sanitation, waste management and other basic services. Without security of tenure and the capacity, skills, financing and productive assets required to eke out a living, slumdwellers earn low incomes and lack employment opportunities. These factors have conspired to perpetuate the cycle of poverty as these poor urban households are compelled to resort to negative coping mechanisms and risky survival strategies, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Private Sector Partnership Forum

The three-day Private Sector Partnership Forum has been organized in recognition of the critical roles played by the private sector in innovating and piloting novel solutions to development challenges, and the public sector in scaling up successful innovations in the areas of affordable housing, water, sanitation, waste management, health, education, energy, financing and infrastructure solutions.

Download Event Concept Note

Quotes

"The EU is engaged in the fight urban poverty and this is reflected in the 2021-2027 programming and by the commitment to the PSUP since 2008. (…) To achieve this, the key word is upscaling: the scarce resources must be strategically used, and a mindset change induced in investments. (…) Meeting the SDGs needs funds at scale."

Paolo Ciccarelli
DG DEVCO C5 – Cities, Local Authorities, Digitalisation, Infrastructures, European Commission

"Ghana is committed to be a champion of the SGDs working closely with UN-Habitat and other stakeholders including civil society and private sector."

Hon. Kwesi Boateng Adjei
Deputy Minister for Local Government & Rural Development, Ghana

"This forum for the private sector needs to focus on the improvement of quality of live and return of investments through a Human Rights approach to ensure transformation with no one left behind."

Neil Khor
Advisor, Office of the Executive Director, UN-Habitat

"COVID represents a unique opportunity as it has made evident that it is in everyone’s interest to approach slum upgrading."

Hon. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr
Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone

"This forum which is an eye opener and an opportunity to learn what to change and improve to promote effective partnerships with private sector."

Mary Ndungu
Senior assistant Director, department of Slum upgrading. State department for Housing and Urban Development, Kenya

"VilCap Investments portfolio is 45% female-led (3 times the industry average) and this is not by accident. This is the result of intention and our peer selection process."

Adedana Ashebir

"700 million people in Africa lack access to clean cooking and more than 500 million people lack access to electricity. Unless effective policies are put in place to facilitate the deployment of innovative solutions such as pay as you go, SDG#7 will not be achieved."

Vincent Kitio

"In considering investment ventures, investors seek companies that are investment ready, specifically those with documentation of last performance, financial projections and investment memorandum, proof of existence."

Neil Wood

"Innovators need to increase their value proposition to their customers through bundled products. Offering solutions that cover the entire home's needs e.g. microinsurance... is better than just selling one product."

Linda Onyango

"Innovators should begin to explore e-commerce as a means of distribution, in order to reduce their distribution costs."

Linda Onyango

"In order to reduce the glaring shortfall for 600 million off-grid customers and 700 million people still cooking with biomass fuels, we need to innovate around the distribution challenge."

Linda Onyango

"The number of households using LPG increased from 600K in 2000 to 3.7 million in 2018 to a great extent due to enabling policy and legal frameworks. There's action that’s incremental and there's action that's transformational. This is transformational!"

Murefu Barasa

"COVID-19 will leave long-term changes in cities as a legacy. Our response mechanisms will be key in defining how inclusive, sustainable and equitable those changes will be. We need to act responsibly."

Dr. Zaheer Allam

Programme



Wednesday, 24 June 2020 (East African Time)

SESSION 01: COUNTRY PERSPECTIVES: TAKING STOCK OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

TIME THEME PRESENTER RECORDING
10:30 - 10:40

WELCOME:
Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Facilitator – Robert Lewis-Lettington, Chief of Section, Land, Housing and Shelter, UN-Habitat
10:40 - 10:45

TECHNICAL ORIENTATION:
WebEx Support

ASSIST Asia
10:45 - 11:15

OPENING REMARKS:
Addressing Inequalities through Innovation and Partnerships: Scaling Up Participatory Slum Upgrading

Victor Kisob, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UN-Habitat

H.E. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, Secretary General, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States

Paolo Ciccarelli, DG DEVCO C5 – Cities, Local Authorities, Digitalisation, Infrastructures, European Commission

Hon. Kwesi Boateng Adjei, Deputy Minister for Local Government & Rural Development (Ghana)
11:15 - 12:15

POLITICAL STATEMENTS:
Leveraging Partnerships for Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization, Leaving No One Behind


Download Session Background Paper

Hon. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown (Sierra Leone)

Oumar Sow, General Director of Urbanism and Architecture (Senegal)

Hon. Charles Hinga, Principal Secretary, State Department for Housing & Urban Development (Kenya)
12:15 - 12:30

THE FORUM:
UN-Habitat’s Strategic Approach to Engaging Private Sector in the Decade of Action
Presentation of the Programme, Objectives and Layout of the Forum

Neil Khor, Officer in Charge, Office of the Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Kerstin Sommer, Programme Manager, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
12:30 - 13:00

Leveraging the Market Potential in Informal Settlements
Findings from Market Studies in Kenya


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Dr. James Mutero, Urban Development & Housing Finance Expert
View Recording
13:30 - 15:00

SCALING SOLUTIONS:
Embracing Innovation in Water, Sanitation and Waste Management

  • Government Priorities
  • Community Needs
  • Taking Stock of the Innovations
  • Recommendations and Way Forward

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Moderator - Andre Dzikus, Chief, Urban Basic Services Section, UN-Habitat
View Recording

Panel Discussion

Zilire Luka, Centre for Community Organisation and Development/SDI (Malawi)
View Recording

Simon Pierre D Etoga, Tam Tam Community (Cameroon)
View Recording

William Senyo, AMA Ga Mashie Development Agency, Ghana
View Recording

Innovator Pitches

David Auerbach, Co-Founder, Sanergy
View Recording

Kate Bohnert, Business Development Manager, Sanivation
View Recording

Keiran Smith, CEO, Mr. Green Africa
View Recording

Nzuki Waita, Executive Director, Human Needs Project
View Recording

Meltus Mugomi, Country Manager, CityTaps
View Recording
15:00 - 15:15

Conclusion

Shipra Narang Suri, Chief, Urban Practices Branch, UN-Habitat
View Recording

ALL-DAY VIRTUAL EXHIBITION BY INNOVATORS


Thursday, 25 June 2020 (East African Time)

SESSION 02: LEVERAGING INNOVATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

TIME THEME PRESENTER RECORDING
10:30 - 10:45

WELCOME:
Welcome and Recap

Facilitator - Robert Lewis-Lettington, Chief of Section, Land, Housing and Shelter, UN-Habitat
View Recording
10:45 - 11:45

The Challenge of Urbanization:
Country Perspectives
Voices from the Grassroots; Government Priorities; Donor Perspectives


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Hon. Samuel Gajere Akala, Executive Chairman, Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State, Federal Republic of Nigeria
View Recording

Hon. Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Mayor, City of Accra, Ghana
View Recording

Monika Glinzler, Director: International Relations Stakeholder and IGR Co-ordination, Department of Human Settlements, South Africa
View Recording

Sheila Kamunyori, Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank
View Recording

Stefan Atchia, Manager, Urban Development Division, African Development Bank
View Recording

Anaclaudia Rossbach, Regional Manager, Latin American & Caribbean Region, Cities Alliance
View Recording

Rafael Tuts, Director, Global Solutions Division, UN-Habitat
View Recording
11:45 - 13:15

Leveraging the Market Potential in Informal Settlements:
Findings from Market Studies in Nigeria and Cameroon


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Prof. Johnson Bade Falade, former Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Nigeria
View Recording

Sipliant Takougang, Advisor to the Government, Cameroon
View Recording

Business Acceleration & Innovator Incubation

Ruth Ndegwa, Director Corporate Services, Kenya Climate Innovation Center
View Recording

Catalysing Financial Inclusion

Sally Gitonga, Director of Investments and Portfolio, The AECF
View Recording
13:15 - 14:15

FINANCING PARTNER ROUNDTABLE:
Opportunities for Financing Innovation


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Moderator - Christine Knudsen, Director, External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation, UN-Habitat
View Recording

Panel Discussion

Lars Groenvald, EU Commission, Head of Section, Cities/Urban Development, European Commission
View Recording

Elaine A. Tinsley, Private Sector Specialist, World Bank
View Recording

Felix Osok, Programme Manager, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
View Recording

William Asiko, Managing Director, Africa Regional Office, Rockefeller Foundation
View Recording

Debra Erb, Managing Director, Real Estate Project Finance, US International Development Finance Corporation
View Recording

Philippe Camille Akoa, Director General, FEICOM
View Recording
14:15 - 15:15

INNOVATION ROUNDTABLE:
Disruptive Technologies for Building Resilience

  • Country Digital Acceleration
  • Big Data for Social Good
  • Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive
  • Technologies
  • Internet of Things
  • Smart Solutions

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Moderator - Tania Lim, UN-Habitat
View Recording

Presentations & Panel Discussion

Guy Diedrich, Vice President, Cisco
View Recording

Ilana Cohen, Senior Market Engagement Director, M4D Utilities, GSMA
View Recording

Timothy Oriedo, CEO, Predictive Analytics Lab
View Recording

Leonard Mabele, IoT Manager, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University
View Recording

Elena Fabris, Community Manager, Planet Smart City
View Recording

Conclusion

Tania Lim, Associate Human Settlements Officer, UN-Habitat
View Recording
15:15 - 16:45

SCALING SOLUTIONS:
Affordable Housing and Construction Solutions

  • Findings: Kenya Affordable Housing Survey
  • Government Priorities
  • Community Needs
  • Taking Stock of the Innovations
  • Recommendations and Way Forward

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Moderator - Seeta Shah, Housing Expert
View Recording

Keynote Speaker - Hon Samuel Atta Akyea (MP), Minister for Works and Housing
View Recording

Innovator Pitches

Fatim Tall, General Secretary, Baraka Project Steering Committee, Senegal
View Recording

Jeshika Ramchund, Lead Engineer – Developments, Bosch Project
View Recording

Winnie Gitau & Simon Dixon, Founders, Kwangu Kwako
View Recording

Andrew Fiati, Business Development Manager, BASF
View Recording

Markus Silfverberg, Founder, Block Solutions
View Recording

Panel Discussion

Jane Weru, Executive Director, Akiba Mashinani Trust
View Recording

Andrew Jones, Research & Policy Manager, Reall
View Recording

Victor Malu, Head, Future Financial Systems, FSD Kenya
View Recording

Christophe Lalande, Housing Lead Specialist, UN-Habitat
View Recording
16:45 - 17:00

Conclusion

Oumar Sylla, Regional Director, UN-Habitat
View Recording

ALL-DAY VIRTUAL EXHIBITION BY INNOVATORS


Friday, 26 June 2020 (East African Time)

SESSION 03: DISRUPTIVE INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

TIME THEME PRESENTER RECORDING
10:30 - 10:45

WELCOME:
Welcome and Recap

Kerstin Sommer, Programme Manager, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme
View Recording
10:45 - 11:45

Leveraging the Market Potential in Informal Settlements:
Findings from Market Studies in Senegal


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Ousmane Mbodji, Technical Director, FDV
View Recording

Armand Ndilmbaye, UNHABITAT
View Recording
11:45 - 01:15

SCALING SOLUTIONS:The Growing Role of EdTech & HealthTech in the COVID-19 Context

  • Government Priorities
  • Community Needs
  • Taking Stock of the Innovations
  • Recommendations and Way Forward

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Moderator - Dr. Graham Alabaster, Head of Geneva Office (OIC), UN-Habitat
View Recording

Panel Discussion

Abdulkarim Mohamed, Portfolio Manager, Acumen East Africa
View Recording

Wilfred Njagi, CEO, Villgro Africa
View Recording

Dr. Zaheer Allam, Urban Strategist, Port Louis Development Initiative (Mauritius)
View Recording

Francis Refell, CODOHSAPA/SDI (Sierra Leone)
View Recording

Innovator Pitches

Wambura Kimunyu, CEO, Eneza Education
View Recording

Boris Bulayev, CEO, Learning Point
View Recording

Pratap Kumar, CEO, Health E-Net
View Recording

Chris Onyancha, CEO, ClinicPesa
View Recording

Emilian Popa, CEO, Ilara Health
View Recording
13:15 - 14:15

SCALING SOLUTIONS:
Scaling Up Inclusive Financial and Clean Energy Innovations

  • Government Priorities
  • Community Needs
  • Taking Stock of the Innovations
  • Recommendations and Way Forward

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Moderator - Vincent Kitio, Chief, Urban Energy Unit, UN-Habitat
View Recording

Innovator Pitches

Snehar Shah, General Manager East Africa, Azuri Technology
View Recording

Tim Bauer, President & COO, Envirofit
View Recording

Beatrice Despioch, Co-founder, Eco-Charcoal
View Recording

Presentations & Panel Discussion

Mwangi Githaiga, Managing Director, Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT)
View Recording

Linda Onyango, CEO, SME Solution Centre
View Recording

Mercy Leta, Programme Manager, Energy 4 Impact
View Recording
14:15 - 15:15

INVESTOR ROUNDTABLE:
Investing in Transformational Development Ventures

  • Doing Business in the New Normal: Challenges and Opportunities in the COVID-19 Context
  • Impact Investment in a Global Financial Crisis: A Trend Analysis
  • Raising Investment Capital for Complex Markets (Informal Settlements)
  • Strategies for Reducing Barriers to Investment: Advice for Developing Country Governments
  • Gender-Smart Investing: Leaving No One Behind
  • Transformational Incubation and Business Acceleration: Opportunities for Growth

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Moderator - Dyfed Aubrey, Inter-Regional Advisor, UN-Habitat
View Recording

Presentations & Panel Discussions

Mercy Muli, AECF
View Recording

Abel Boreto, Investment Associate, Novastar Ventures
View Recording

Wadzi Katsidzira, Senior Manager, Global Development Incubator
View Recording

Neil Wood, Associate Partner, Open Capital Advisors
View Recording

Wilfred Njagi, CEO, Villgro Africa
View Recording

Selma El Manser, Partner, McKinsey
View Recording

Victor Ndiege, CEO, Kenya Climate Ventures
View Recording

Adedana Ashebir, Regional Manager – Africa, Village Capital
View Recording

Debra Erb, US International Development Finance Corporation
View Recording
15:15 - 16:15

THE WAY FORWARD:
Commitments and Pipeline Projects

  • Soft Launch of the Challenge Fund
  • Partnership Opportunities

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Moderator - Robert Lewis-Lettington, Chief of Section, Land, Housing and Shelter, UN-Habitat
View Recording

Mercy Muli, The AECF
View Recording

William Jiyana, Deputy Director General, Department of Human Settlements, South Africa
View Recording

Ian Shapiro, CEO, Reall
View Recording

Graziella Roccella, Chief Research and Urban Planning Officer, Planet Smart City
View Recording

Kerstin Sommer, Programme Manager, PSUP
View Recording

ALL-DAY VIRTUAL EXHIBITION BY INNOVATORS
Download Programme Schedule Webex Usage Guidelines Download PSUP Communication Materials

Speakers

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