Introducing modular construction for high quality, affordable housing in Burundi As a result of increasing stability in Burundi, the demand for affordable, high quality housing is on the rise. Urbanisation, the repatriation of refugees and the rise of a middle class lead to interesting opportunities for the construction sector. However, the supply side of the housing market is not able to keep up with demand, leading to an annual shortage of 20,000 housing units.Applicant Port Cargo International Ltd from Zambia is an export company specializing in cement and construction materials for the Great Lakes Region. The local partner is a building and property development company called Constructions Achats Approvisionnements SA (CAA), and is based in Bujumbura. When discussing the housing problem in Burundi, Port Cargo recalled its experience with a modular building concept once seen in Libya. This modular building system came from Sismo NV from Belgium, and after contacting Sismo again, they turned out to be interested to invest in this project as a third partner.The three partners together will establish a pilot scale production facility for production of semi-prefab wall and roof panels, for the local housing industry. A joint venture will be established in which all three companies will take part. The factory will be based in Bujumbura and will produce panels for both CAA and other local construction firms.As compared to quality brick buildings, the houses built with Sismo panels will be 20% cheaper. More important is the fact that the construction time for houses will be reduced significantly, as complete houses can be erected in just one day. This will significantly lower the financial burden for the property developer, as the invested capital is needed for a shorter period of time.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)CSR standards are not institutionalised in Burundi yet. The partners will therefore develop their own occupational health and safety programme, which will be similar to the Dutch VCA (Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu Checklist Aannemers). In general, the partners will adhere to international health, safety and environmental rules and regulations.They will also develop a HRM policy with a special chapter on gender issues. Additional fringe benefits can be found under 'Employment and Working Conditions'.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project will provide employment to 22 people, of which 13 will be basic qualified and 9 medium/high qualified.Two years after the end of the project, 44 people will be employed of which 28 basic qualified and 16 medium/high qualified.The lowest paid employee will receive 15% above local minimum wages. In addition, the partners will offer health insurance, assistance in getting mortgages / housing allowance, savings programmes, adult education programmes, HIV / AIDS prevention training, free lunch and transport, and school fees for children.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe knowledge of modular construction is totally new to Burundi. Working with advanced CAD/CAM applications is new as well. Next to training its own employees, the partners will pay a great deal of attention to training supervisors and on-site workers of both CAA and other construction companies in order to get used to building with Sismo panels.Through this approach, the partners increase the acceptance of this new concept in the market, and enhance the knowledge level in the construction sector in Burundi at the same time.•	Chain effectsFirst and foremost this project will allow construction companies to increase their scale of operations without getting into a capital intensive growth path. Initially, 50 construction workers will be involved in this project through training, but the concept will be open to any interested construction company in Burundi.Indirectly, the project will lead to an increase in demand for supplies, works and services: earth moving works, equipment, raw materials, installation works, components and finishing etc.The number of subcontractors is estimated at 19.•	EnvironmentThe introduction of Sismo panels will have a positive impact on the environment as it will provide an alternative to the use of fired bricks. Bricks are traditionally baked in wood-fuelled ovens. The use of wood poses a serious threat to the scarce forests in Burundi. In traditional building, timber is also used for setting of structures. This too will no longer be necessary when using Sismo panels.Second, the partners will comply with local environmental legislation.•	Position of womenAbout 25% of the total workforce will be women. These will mainly be employed in the design / engineering jobs and in other office jobs. To establish a production facility for semi-prefab wall and roof panels, with a capacity of 54,000 m2 per year, to be used in construction of high quality, affordable houses on the local market.