Urbanisation: Between Challenges and a Driving Role in Economic Transformation
The rapid urbanisation of Africa, which has seen its urban population grow from 27 million to 587 million inhabitants between 1950 and 2020, presents both considerable challenges and significant opportunities. This trend is expected to continue, with the African population projected to reach approximately 2.4 billion inhabitants by 2050, representing a quarter of the world’s population.
This urbanisation constitutes a potential driver of economic transformation by stimulating growth, generating jobs, and fostering the development of new infrastructure. However, this rapid expansion requires urban planning and sustainable management to fully harness its benefits and minimize its negative impacts.
Financing remains a major obstacle, with the annual financing gap for urban infrastructure in Africa estimated at $108 billion. This shortfall necessitates an increase in cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as an effective mobilisation of local and international resources. Additionally, South-South cooperation is essential for sharing best practices and developing urban models tailored to African specificities.
How can African cities adapt to rapid urbanisation while preserving natural resources, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development, in order to transform urbanisation into a genuine economic opportunity?
