Cairo and Virtual Sharkrooms: The Panel's Note

The 38th Annual AUHF Conference and AGM in Cairo, Egypt saw the first Mock Sharkroom session take place on Day 2 of the conference as an initiative of the newly established Investment Committee under the theme ‘Green Financing’. Nine organisations from across the continent presented their initiatives showcasing how they are adding value to Africa’s housing value chain all the while combating climate change and environmental degradation. Of the 9 presentations, 5 were in-person and the other 4 presented virtually.

A second and virtual Sharkroom took place on April 13th 2023, it took place following the success of the first one in Cairo 2022. This Sharkroom was completely virtual and three organisations from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mexico (with African operations starting in Uganda in the near future) presented their initiatives. The panel of investors for both sessions, with decades of international experience in housing investment among them, constituted  Maureen Katuvesirauina of the International Finance Corporation; Debra Erb of the United States International Development Finance Corporation; and Zachary Munene of Shelter Afrique. The panel provided the presenters with constructive investment oriented feedback which helped equip the presenters and all in audience with the necessary tools to position themselves in a manner attractive to investors.

This document is essentially a note of the key takeaways from the panel. These were given to the presenters as feedback to their pitches and they are give good insight into what investors are seeking in housing projects which is a vital resource for anyone seeking to secure funds for housing.