Workshop on Housing Finance for Sub-Saharan Africa, November 2008

Date: November 3-8, 2008
Location: Witwatersrand Business School, Johannesburg, South Africa
Organized by: World Bank, Wharton School of Business, FinMark Trust, and Wits Business School
Target audience: Mortgage regulation departments of central banks; ministries of housing and development, ministries of finance; mortgage market facilities and securities and exchange commissions; securitization companies and housing funds; mortgage companies; and academics from sub-Saharan African countries.
Contact: Colleen Mascenik at cmascenik@worldbank.org or via fax: +1 202 522 3480
For readings & presentations, visit the Wharton School Housing Course Site
Download Course Brochure HERE

Overview: Housing finance markets have been changing dramatically across Africa. As housing finance keeps growing to match a rising demand for housing, new risk management approaches, business models, funding tools, and policy instruments can help expand markets, increase access to affordable housing, and contribute to countries’ strategies for sheltering the poor. Yet many questions remain about the right balance between innovation and regulation, the extent of risks to the financial system, and appropriate measures for promoting affordable housing. In this context, the World Bank, Wharton School of Business, FinMark Trust, and Wits Business School are launching the first in a series targetting Africa, the Regional Workshop on Housing Finance for Sub-Saharan Africa, that will take place November 3-8, 2008, at Wits Business School in Johannesburg.

View presentations:
Michael Lea, "Global Trends in Housing Finance," November 2008
Michael Lea, "Lessons from the U.S. Mortgage Market Crisis: Part 1"
Michael Lea, "Lessons from the U.S. Mortgage Market Crisis: Part 2"

Format Agenda Registration Payment Accomodations Conference Organizers Experts from the International Housing Finance Program at Wharton School of Business, together with practitioners and policymakers from African countries, will share lessons and experiences in presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. Lectures and discussions will focus on: business and funding models; legal and regulatory foundations; development of mortgage securities; and affordable housing finance solutions for the poor.