NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) is set to convene the fifth Kenya Affordable Housing Conference from August 20 to 21, with stakeholders expected to focus on expanding access to inclusive and sustainable housing finance.
The conference will be held at Lake Naivasha Resort in Nakuru County under the theme “Scaling the Base: Unlocking Inclusive and Sustainable Housing Solutions.”
KMRC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Johnstone Oltetia said the conference comes as Kenya’s affordable housing agenda increasingly shifts beyond the construction of housing units to addressing the financing barriers that prevent millions of Kenyans from becoming homeowners.
“This year’s theme speaks to both the scale of the challenge and the promise before us: to close the twin gaps that constrain access at scale,” Oltetia said.
He said the two challenges include the shortage of affordable housing units on the supply side and limited access to housing finance for Kenyans with informal or irregular incomes on the demand side.
The two-day conference is expected to bring together national and county government officials, financial institutions, developers, pension funds, SACCOs, development finance institutions, housing agencies, investors, policymakers and international experts.
Focus on housing finance
Discussions will examine financing models that can expand homeownership opportunities, including blended finance, development finance and mortgage liquidity facilities.
Delegates will also explore land administration reforms, title regularisation and improved land governance as potential tools for accelerating housing development and attracting investment into the sector.
A key focus will be extending housing finance to Kenyans traditionally excluded from formal mortgage markets.
Industry representatives from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and India are expected to discuss approaches for financing informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs, SACCO members and other underserved groups.
The discussions will explore emerging lending models aimed at improving affordability and strengthening the financial resilience of low- and middle-income households.
Sustainability and technology
The conference will also examine how sustainability can be integrated into affordable housing without making homes unaffordable.
Sessions will focus on climate-resilient housing, green buildings, resource efficiency and the role of housing in developing healthier and more sustainable cities.
Technology will feature prominently, with stakeholders expected to discuss modern construction methods, innovative building solutions and the use of artificial intelligence across the housing value chain.
According to KMRC, technology can help reduce construction costs, improve efficiency and accelerate project delivery.
Data to inform housing policies
Delegates will also receive insights into Kenya’s residential property market, including presentations on the Residential Property Price Index and emerging housing market trends.
The sessions are expected to provide investors, lenders, developers and policymakers with data on affordability, housing demand, investment patterns and the performance of housing interventions.
The conference will further draw lessons from housing finance systems and delivery models in countries including Japan, India and South Africa, with discussions expected to assess how international experiences can be adapted to Kenya and the wider African market.
Homeowners’ experiences
Unlike discussions focused solely on policymakers and industry players, the conference will also feature real-life stories from homeowners.
The sessions will highlight the opportunities and barriers experienced by Kenyan households as they seek to achieve homeownership, with the aim of ensuring that housing policies and financing solutions respond to the realities facing citizens.
KMRC said the conference seeks to generate practical solutions and partnerships that can accelerate homeownership, deepen financial inclusion and support Kenya’s affordable housing agenda.
The event will conclude with the inaugural Kenya Affordable Housing Awards, which will recognise leading primary mortgage lenders for their contribution to expanding homeownership, promoting sustainability, improving customer experience and driving innovation across the housing value chain.
