Addressing Ethiopia’s housing challenges requires more than building homes. It also requires strong evidence, informed policy dialogue and collaboration across sectors to help shape solutions that can reach more people.
Recognising this, Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia (HFHE) and the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) have renewed their partnership, reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing research, policy dialogue and evidence-based solutions on housing and urban development in Ethiopia.
The new three-year Memorandum of Understanding builds on a collaboration that began in 2022 and has already delivered important contributions to Ethiopia’s housing sector.
Together, HFHE and PSI have undertaken research exploring the impact of homeownership on household quality of life and the barriers limiting access to housing finance. The partnership has also supported policy engagement through the National Housing Forum, contributed to the national Stand for Her Land coalition and helped create spaces for dialogue such as the 2024 Housing Symposium.
Importantly, evidence generated through the collaboration has informed discussions on key housing priorities, including housing finance and policy reforms aimed at expanding access to adequate housing. The partnership’s research has contributed to recommendations on housing finance and broader conversations on strengthening Ethiopia’s housing policy framework.
The renewed partnership will focus on issues shaping Ethiopia’s housing sector, including informal settlements, housing finance, mortgage systems and climate-resilient housing. Through joint research, policy engagement and knowledge-sharing, the two institutions aim to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and elevate housing as a national development priority.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held on 10th November 2026, Habitat Ethiopia National Director and Representative to the African Union, Yitna Tekaligne, underscored the unique value of the partnership, pointing to the impact of joint research, advocacy and policy engagement over the past four years. He noted that bringing together research and practical experience has helped strengthen conversations on housing finance, housing policy and affordable housing solutions in Ethiopia.
Looking ahead, the partnership will continue to focus on housing finance, informal settlements and climate-resilient housing, while expanding collaboration on construction-sector SMEs and the continued growth of the National Housing Forum as a platform for research dissemination and policy dialogue.
PSI Director General, Fikadu Tsega, welcomed the second phase of the partnership and highlighted the importance of translating collaboration into practical outcomes that improve people’s lives. He noted that the renewed agreement provides an opportunity to build on existing achievements while exploring new areas of cooperation.
As Ethiopia continues to address growing housing needs, the renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to generating evidence, strengthening policy dialogue and advancing solutions that support durable, affordable and climate-resilient housing. By bringing together research, policy and practice, HFHE and PSI hope to contribute to a housing sector that is better equipped to respond to the needs of communities across the country.