The Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC) will host the 5th Kenya Affordable Housing Conference on August 20–21, 2026, under the theme «Broadening the Base: Unlocking Inclusive and Sustainable Housing Solutions».
«This year’s theme reflects both the scale of the challenge and the opportunities before us: we must bridge the dual gap that hinders mass access to housing. On one hand, there is a shortage of affordable housing units, and on the other, millions of Kenyans are unable to purchase homes due to limited access to financing and unstable, informal incomes. Our task is to find an inclusive, sustainable, and long-term solution», said Johnstone Oltetia, CEO and Managing Director of KMRC.
The conference will bring together key players in the housing sector, including representatives from national and regional government bodies, financial institutions, developers, pension funds, SACCOs, development finance institutions, housing agencies, investors, policymakers, and international experts. Participants will discuss practical mechanisms for expanding access to affordable housing and housing finance.
The main discussions will focus on the political, financial, technological, and environmental solutions required to make homeownership more accessible to a broader range of Kenyans. Over the course of two days, delegates will explore the future of housing finance in Kenya and across the African continent through a series of keynote addresses, presentations, and high-level panel discussions.
The opening of the conference will focus on innovative housing finance models, including international market experience, as well as the role of blended finance, development institutions, and mortgage liquidity mechanisms. Speakers will also examine how land administration reforms, property rights registration, and improved land management efficiency can accelerate housing construction and attract investment across the entire housing sector value chain.
The central theme of the conference will be expanding access to housing finance beyond the formal sector. Industry leaders from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and India will discuss strategies for engaging informally employed workers, micro-entrepreneurs, SACCO members, and underserved populations who have traditionally been excluded from the mortgage market. The conference will also examine the role of development finance institutions in mobilizing large-scale capital and attracting private investment.
Given the growing importance of sustainable development in the housing sector, the program includes dedicated sessions on climate-resilient housing, «green» construction, and the housing sector’s contribution to creating healthier cities. Participants will also learn about market analytics and data-driven decision-making approaches through presentations on the Kenya Residential Property Price Index and new trends in the housing market.
Technology and innovation will feature prominently on the forum’s agenda: the focus will be on modern construction technologies, new engineering solutions, and the use of artificial intelligence. The conference will also serve as a platform for international knowledge sharing, showcasing the approaches of Japan, India, and South Africa to successful housing finance systems.
In addition, the program will provide an opportunity to hear directly from homeowners through real-life success stories that highlight both the opportunities and barriers to homeownership. The conference will conclude with the inaugural Kenya Affordable Housing Awards ceremony, which will honor leading mortgage lenders whose leadership, partnerships, and innovative solutions are expanding access to housing and promoting sustainable development.
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