Thierno-Habib Hann, CFA

Managing Director - Shelter Afrique Development Bank

Thierno-Habib Hann, CFA is the Chief Executive Officer of Shelter Afrique, the Pan-African institution for housing. He joined Shelter Afrique from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where he served as the Asia/Pacific Lead for housing finance, based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mr. Hann has extensive international experience in housing finance, capital markets/investment banking and structured finance spanning over 20 years. He brings a wealth of leadership experience in development and investment, sharp insight into the real estate landscape and a strong track record of delivery.

Mr. Hann began his career at the consulting firm Arthur Andersen, LLC as a Senior Consultant in Financial Services and Capital Markets in New York City. He has worked at JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs as Manager and Vice President, respectively, and led investment teams issuing mortgage-backed securities (RMBS/CMOs) and credit derivatives (CDS)

He also served at the World Bank Group as the Private Sector Development Program Manager in Guinea, responsible for designing and implementing the investment climate improvement program while developing a bankable pipeline of investments and government advisory projects in strategic sectors of the economy.

Mr. Hann holds an MBA in Finance & Investments from the Zicklin School of Business, Bernard Baruch, City University of New York; a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance (M.S.T.C.F) and a bachelor’s degree in Management and Applied Economics (GEA), from University Paris IX Dauphine, with honors.

A native of Guinea (Conakry), Habib is the co-founder of "AngelAfrica" – a Pan-African thinktank formed to achieve economic prosperity on the continent by building and fostering innovation, investors and business partnerships.

Sandie Paho Handou

Company Secretary

Sandie Paho Handou, from Cameroon, is a seasoned Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs executive with over 20 years of international experience across Africa and Europe, spanning regulated industries, multinationals and complex multi-country operations.

She joins Shelter Afrique with a strong track record in corporate governance, regulatory strategy, compliance transformation and stakeholder engagement. Prior to this role, she served as Regional Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Director for West Africa, overseeing legal strategy across Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Benin, while acting as Company Secretary and Board advisor.

Sandie has held senior leadership positions with leading global organisations including LafargeHolcim (CIMENCAM), British American Tobacco, Diageo, and Procter & Gamble, where she advised executive committees and boards on risk management, government relations, ethics and sustainable business growth. She is recognised as an inspirational people leader with strong commercial acumen and a reputation for integrity.

She holds a Master’s degree in International Commercial Law from Northumbria University (UK), another Master’s degree from Rouen University in France and executive education certificates from INSEAD and Lagos Business School. Sandie is bilingual in French and English and is deeply committed to governance excellence, responsible leadership and Africa’s long-term development.  

Bernard Oketch

Director of Risk

Bernard is a Kenyan national. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in strategic management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor Degree in Business Information Technology from Strathmore University. He has over twelve years of work experience in enterprise risk management.

He previously worked for Deloitte & Touche in the Risk Advisory practice for nine years from 2007 to 2016 before joining the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, a top tier one bank, as a Senior Risk Manager, where he worked for three years before joining Shelter Afrique. His key achievements include many years of developing and implementing enterprise risk management programmes.

Christopher Chege

Director of Credit and Operations

Christopher has over 20 years extensive experience in setting up and managing housing finance operations; from deal origination and underwriting to processing and has also been closely involved in business turnaround situations across Pan African flagship  institutions.

He is  also a contributing member  to industry umbrella bodies and societies including the African Real Estate Society (AFRES), the Global Real Estate Society (GRI), the East African Property Investments (EAPI) and serves as a keynote speaker at Makerere University's School of Real Estate.

Charles Kazuka

Director of Human Capital Management

Charles Kazuka pursued his undergraduate studies at Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda) and postgraduate studies at the University of Leicester (UK). He has more than 20 years’ experience in transformational and strategic Human Resources across East, West and Southern Africa. Charles’s experience is mostly in the financial services sector having worked as HR director for leading institutions such as Barclays Bank (Tanzania and Ghana) NMB Bank (Tanzania) and was the regional HR director for East and West Africa for British Petroleum (BP).

He joins us from Pharo Ventures, a leading Social Enterprise in Kenya. Charles is also a chartered certified HR professional.

Beatrice Mburu

Chief Finance Officer

Beatrice Mburu holds an MBA from Warwick Business School (United Kingdom) and a BSc in International Business Administration-Finance. She is also a qualified Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Member of the Institute of Certified Accountant.

She has 23 years of progressive wealth of hands-on experience in Corporate Financial Management (i.e., Financial Planning, Control and Reporting), Budgeting, Debt restructuring, Treasury Management, and Fundraising in the international and Debt Capital Market, including Euro Bonds.

She has worked in Treasury and Finance departments at the African Export Import Bank (Afrexim). She has also held various senior finance roles in Standard Chartered Bank, Bombardier Uganda Limited and DHL Logistics.

Marianne Koly

Director of Internal Audit

Marianne Koly is an audit, risk, and fraud examination leader with a wealth of expertise.

She earned her master’s degree in public administration from École Nationale d’Administration Publique du Québec (Canada) and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University Paris XII (France).

Marianne is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), a Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) professional , and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

With a remarkable 20 year career, she has progressively advanced in both assurance and advisory services in auditing within a prestigious 'Big Four' audit firm. Notably, Marianne served as an Audit Senior Manager at EY (formerly Ernest & Young) in West Africa.

Her extensive experience includes conducting risk-based internal audits in Canada and collaborating with multinational financial institutions across Africa to deliver audit project.

Marianne has played a pivotal role in delivering financial audits and consulting services, encompassing risk mapping, transaction advisory services, and internal control reviews.

Fluent in both English and French, Marianne Koly brings a unique international perspective to her work, making her an asset to the company.

Nabil Mahfoudh

Director of Treasury

Nabil Mahfoudh, a Tunisian national has been appointed as our new Head of Treasury and reports to the Managing Director.
With over 26 years of extensive international experience, he brings onboard expertise in managing foreign exchange, liquidity, Investment, and interest rate risk environments.
During his career, Nabil has held various Treasury, Dealing Room and Risk positions in Management, including Assets Liability Management, Financial Institutions relationship management and software treasury products implementation.
Nabil joins from Qatar National Bank in Tunisia and holds a bachelor’s degree in international finance from IHEC Tunisia, a master’s degree in market and corporate finance from IHEC Tunisia, a Master’s degree in banking management from the Conservation Nationale des Arts et Métiers Française, Paris, and holds the ACI Dealing Certificate and the International Dealing Room Diploma from The Financial Markets Association London.
He is fluent in 3 languages: French, English and Arabic.

Gibson Mapfidza

Chief Business Officer

Gibson Mapfidza is a Zimbabwean national with over two decades of extensive experience as a Chartered Surveyor, primarily focused on the built environment and bulk infrastructure sectors. Prior to joining ShafDB, he was the Managing Director at Mashonaland Holdings Limited.

Throughout his career, he has successfully led numerous mega property development projects across Africa, demonstrating expertise in infrastructure financing, property investment management, and strategic business growth initiatives.
His career began at CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) International Property Consultants, followed by a pivotal role at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, where he spearheaded Corporate Real Estate Services (CRES) and Infrastructure Financing portfolios.

Transitioning to Old Mutual in 2010, Gibson ascended to the position of Head of Property Development, overseeing notable infrastructure projects spanning Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malawi, as well as contributing to property portfolio valuation and amalgamation efforts in East Africa under Old Mutual Africa. He has active membership with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other regional professional institutes.
Gibson pursued his studies at the University of Reading, UK, completing an MSc in Real Estate Investment. He also obtained an MBA specializing in Development Finance from the University of Cape Town in 2022.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Gibson shares his wealth of knowledge as a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe since 2008.

Natasha Koli

Director of Legal

Director Lionel Zinsou

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Member, Finance, Credit & Investments Committee

Academic qualifications

Graduate from the Ecole Normale Supérieure (Agrégation in Social Sciences and Economic History – 1978) the premier French institute for higher education and research, as well as of the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences –Po) and the Paris IV and VII Universities.

Skills and competencies

Economics

Former Prime Minister of Benin

Private equity

Partner

Financial controller

Corporate Development

Research

Experience in both private and public sector

Social Sciences and Economic History

Consumer goods

Mr. Qs .Said Athman Mtwana

Vice Chairperson

Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
Housing Secretary

Academic qualifications

Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Nairobi

Bachelor of Arts in Building Economics, Second Class (Hons), University of Nairobi,

Skills and Competences

Project management

Research and development

Data analysis

Research Methodologies

Experimental Work Plans

Building performance simulation.

Scheduling, Organizing, & Time

Management

Strong verbal and written

communication skills

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Team Collaboration

Analytical Thinking, Problem

Excels in scientific environments in which data accuracy and diagnostic improvements are vital.

Reliable and driven for success through strong research, writing, and experimentation skills.

Expertise in building energy performance, urban design, sustainable urban environments.

Enthusiastic about providing sustainable building and urban design solutions through interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Director Dr Chii P. Akporji

Board Member - Representing African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Academic Qualifications

Certification in Corporate Governance, Judge, Business School, Cambridge University, UK

Certification, International Housing Finance, Wharton School, USA

Several training courses with the World Bank, Institute and the African Development Bank

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria: Ph.D., Comparative Literature.

University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada: M.A., Modern Anglo-Irish Studies.

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland:B.A. (Hons.) Humanities & Arabic Studies.

Skills & Competencies

Program Design & Management

Corporate Strategic Planning

Policy Analysis/Advocacy

Resource Mobilization

Government Relations

Director Ahmed Belayat

Board Member

Academic qualifications

Lycée plateau du Mansourah Constantine 1973 - 1976 ITFC 1979- 1981 - Principal State Accountant

Continuous training of one week in Paris on the elaboration of procedures 2006

Internship at ISTED Paris - Management of housing aid 2001 UFC Annaba - training in PGS 1993 -1994

Training courses with the World Bank and the US Aid co-organized with the Ministry of Housing, 1993

Skills and Competences

Accounts

Housing Management

Real Estate Management

Dr. Phocas Nyandwi - Burundi

Board Member - Representing the African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-re)

Academic Qualifications

United States International University – Africa (Kenya)January 2018 – September 2022 

Doctorate in Business Administration 

MBA Degree – Awarded in 2014 

Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI), Tanzania  2012 – 2014,

Business Administration - University of Burundi  - (1991-1995)

Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (Concentration: Management and Business Administration).  (4 years + Dissertation) Dissertation 1996-1997, Economics, Business Administration 

Skills & Competencies

Current: AFRICA RE (Nairobi, Kenya) Regional Director, Nairobi Regional Office - July 2024 

AFRICA RE (Lagos, Nigeria) Director, Central Operations and Special Risks -August 2019  - June 2024 

AFRICA RE (Nairobi, Kenya) - Assistant Director, Underwriting and Marketing - January 2017  - July 2019 

AFRICA RE (Nairobi, Kenya) - Senior Manager, Underwriting’  - May 2015  - December 2016 

African Reinsurance Corporation (AFRICA RE), Kenya – Underwriter, September 2010  - April 2015 

Kenya Reinsurance Corporation - Non-Life Reinsurance - French Speaking Underwriter  - November 2008 - August 2010 

SOCABU (Burundi) - Head of Technico-Commercial Life Department - January 2005 - October 2008 

SOCABU (Burundi) - Manager, Technical and Commercial Life Division - July 2003 - December 2004 

SOCABU (Burundi) - Manager, Motor Underwriting Division - September 2001- July 2003 

Director Babatunde Adebisi Sanda

Board Member - Independent Board Director

Member Finance, Credit & Investments committee

Academic Qualifications

Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria 1997.

Associate of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria 1984.

University of Benin, Benin Nigeria,1975 – 1979, B.Sc., Hons. Business Administration.

Numerous development programmes:

Skills and Competences

Strategic Management of enterprises.

Strategic Management of banking businesses

Strategies for economic development of sub-Sahara African countries.

Learning organization

Hands on amongst others in, credit, marketing, financial, operational, internal control, and human capital functions

Director Dr. Jack Ngarambe

Board Member - Representing group 2

RESEARCH PROFESSOR and LECTURER at (Kyung Hee University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)

Member of the Human Resources, Governance and Nominations - Member of Finance, Credit, and Investment Committees

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor of Science | Architectural Engineering- South Korea-Kyung Hee University, Suwon

Ph.D. Architectural Engineering–South Korea-Kyung Hee University, Suwon

Skills & Competencies

Project management

Research and development

Data analysis

Research Methodologies

Experimental Work Plans

Building performance simulation.

Scheduling, Organizing, & Time

Management

Strong verbal and written

communication skills

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Team Collaboration

Analytical Thinking, Problem

Excels in scientific environments in which data accuracy and diagnostic improvements are vital.

Reliable and driven for success through strong research, writing, and experimentation skills.

Expertise in building energy performance, urban design, sustainable urban environments.

Enthusiastic about providing sustainable building and urban design solutions through interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Arc. Chris Pobee Abbey

Board Member - Representing group 3

Ministry of Works and Housing - Ghana,
Associate Member to the Ghana Institute of Architects

Academic qualifications

Bachelor of Science and Post Graduate Diploma in Architecture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,, Kumasi, Ghana

Master’s in Urban Planning from Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea.

Certificate in Performance-Based Contracting from IHE (Delft), Netherlands

Advanced Level Certificate and  Ordinary Level Certificate, Prempeh College, Kumasi, Ghana

Skills & Competencies

Landscape Design

Architectural Sketch Design

 Technical Assessment/Report Writing

Contract Administration and Project Coordination/Management

Urban Planning/Development.

Housing Management and Policy Formulation.

Director Tchelu Mwenyimali Laurent

Board Member - Representing Group 5

Academic Qualifications

Master’s Degree Management of healthcare institutions

Bachelor’s degree in management of healthcare institutions

Skills and competences

Management of healthcare institutions

Disaster risk reduction

Human resources

Assistance to internally displaced persons

Research

Management and Administration

Director Arc. Eucharia Alozie

Board Member - Representing Group 6

Academic Qualifications

The Institute for Public Private Partnership (IP3), Washington DC, USA 2014–2016 - Certified Public-Private Partnership Specialist

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 1988–1990 - MSc. Urban and Regional Planning, 1980–1982 - MSc Architecture, 1977–1980 - BSc Architecture

Skills and competencies

Strategic Planning

Corporate Governance

Business Development

Public Housing and Infrastructure Expertise

Leadership and Team Management

Public Private Partnership (PPP) Specialist/Expert

Architectural research and creative design, Town Planning consultancy services, Architectural education and mentoring

Director Issa Seydou Sissoko

Board Member - Representing Group 7

Skills and competencies

Architectural and urban planning skills.

Design and management (supervision, monitoring and evaluation) of architectural projects;

Design and management of subdivision projects;

Training skills;

Computer skills (Microsoft Office and other software, GIS, Auto-CAD, ArchCAD, etc.);

Management of domain issues, urban planning, construction and housing.

Academic qualifications 

Diploma in architecture (architectural design); Beijing JiaoTong University - 2004;

Diploma in Urban Planning and Design; Beijing University of Technology - 2008;

Certificate on public procurement UEMOA procedure 2011;

Certificate on public procurement DGMP procedure 2018.