China will take part in a plan by Guinea Bissau for the construction of social housing in the country’s capital, Bissau, the Guinean Minister of Public Affairs, José António Almeida, told Portuguese news agency Lusa on Saturday.

“We expect the construction of 250 homes in a first stage, but the goal is to reach 1,000,” the Minister said.

According to Lusa, the plan includes two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes to be built in the Bissalanca area, next to Bissau’s international airport. The aim is to rehouse residents due to be displaced by a Government plan to demolish and redevelop buildings in other neighbourhoods of the capital.

The news report did not mention the terms under which China would take part in the social housing scheme.

According to Mr Almeida, Guinea Bissau is facing “a huge deficit in housing”. It is estimated that there is an urgent need for 4,000 homes throughout the country.

Guinea Bissau is also establishing a partnership with Moroccan property developers, Lusa reported. The deal includes the construction of buildings of up to floor fours, also in the Bissalanca area.