Projects

Most estimates find that around 80% of working Angolans operate in the informal sector. Lack of adequate housing is a key issue undermining their wellbeing and ability to positively contribute to the economy.
 
In partnership with the state-owned land management company and a leading NGO in urban development, I designed and implemented a study of the financial capabilities of market traders in Sequele. We identified a segment, 28% of the studied population, that demonstrated the capabilities and behaviours to make good use of microfinance to legally acquire land and finance the self-build of a home.
 
We estimated that acquiring a home, connected to power and water, in the vicinity of where they worked, could save traders 13% of their monthly household income otherwise spent on travel costs and another 14% spent on informal water supply. Not only could this service repayments, but allow consumption patterns to emerge that would energise local economies.
 
I designed and recommended a strategy encompassing tailored microfinance products and housebuilding assistance, that was spotlighted at 2022's World Urban Forum.