Shark Room Programme
Each year, the AUHF hosts a curated deal-making platform as part of its annual conference and partner events — bringing together affordable housing developers, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders in a focused investment environment.
At the centre of this work is the Shark Room Programme: a live, high-stakes pitching platform where project promoters present real transactions to a panel of lenders, DFIs, donors, regulators, and investors.
While structured as a learning and sharpening exercise, these sessions are not simulations — the projects are real, the funders are real, and the stakes are high. The objective is to support developers in refining their investment propositions, receiving direct technical and financial feedback, and building meaningful connections that unlock capital.
Over time, the programme has evolved to include different formats — such as The Blender and the Catapult Accelerator — expanding its role from a conference feature into a broader investment support platform.
The inaugural Shark Room was hosted at the 38th Annual AUHF Conference under the theme Green Financing. Nine organisations from across the continent presented projects addressing both housing delivery and climate resilience, with a mix of in-person and virtual pitches.
A panel of international investors provided detailed, investment-oriented feedback, helping participants strengthen their proposals and positioning. The session marked the beginning of AUHF’s structured investment matchmaking platform.
Presentations
Shark Room 2023: Virtual
Building on the success of the first session, the second Shark Room was hosted virtually, enabling broader geographic participation. Projects from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and an international developer expanding into Africa were presented to an experienced panel of investors.
The session focused on equipping developers with practical insights on how to position their projects to attract investment, while continuing to strengthen connections across markets.
Presentations
Held at the 39th Annual AUHF Conference, the third Shark Room brought together participants from six countries. Notably, several returning developers presented refined proposals, demonstrating the value of iterative feedback from previous sessions.
The investor panel provided targeted, investment-focused guidance, reinforcing the Shark Room’s role in supporting project preparation and improving bankability.
Presentations
Hosted at the 40th Annual AUHF Conference, this edition focused on sustainable and innovative solutions along the housing value chain. Projects from across Africa showcased diverse approaches to delivery, with both in-person and virtual participation.
The session highlighted the growing maturity of the platform, with stronger, more investment-ready proposals and increased investor engagement.
Presentations
Branded as The Blender, this edition introduced a stronger focus on blended finance and deal structuring. Hosted at the 41st Annual AUHF Conference, the session brought together developers, DFIs, lenders, and investors in a dynamic, high-stakes pitching environment.
Each project was interrogated from both a financial and technical perspective, with the aim of strengthening structuring approaches and unlocking partnerships.
Presentations
Catapult Accelerator: AUF 2026, Nairobi, Kenya
Hosted at the Africa Urban Forum, the Catapult Accelerator builds on the Shark Room model by creating a more structured interface between projects and investors.
The session responds directly to the persistent gap between innovative housing solutions and investment readiness — offering a practical, deal-room environment where projects are assessed in real time against investor expectations, with a focus on bankability, scalability, and impact.