Rethinking African Urbanisation: Elevating Urban Transition on the G20 Agenda

Introduction

Africa is now the world’s fastest-urbanizing region, with city populations growing at an astonishing rate—an estimated 3.5% annually. By 2050, eight hundred million Africans will live in cities, compared to roughly 500 million today :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. Yet governments often resort to forced displacements when urban pressures mount, neglecting inclusive urban planning and demographic opportunity.

The Reality of Forced Displacement

In too many African cities, using heavy-handed eviction tactics on informal settlements has become the go-to response. But urbanisation isn’t a disease—it’s an economic and cultural force. Instead of coercion, governments should design integrated urban strategies that ensure access to land tenure, basic services, and livelihoods.

Urban Planning & Institutional Gaps

Slums proliferate because most African cities operate with town budgets 100 times smaller than those in the Global NorthWeak land registries, unchecked sprawl have undermined livability and governance

Youth, Innovation & Urban Time‑bombs

Urban youth—70% of Africans are under 30—face rising unemployment and disillusionment Yet where civic spaces and climate resilience meet, African youth are innovating, shaping creative solutions to urban challenges.

Seeing Cities as Engines of Growth

Urbanisation drives productivity: in Africa, cities account for ~30% of per‑capita GDP growth and improve access to education, jobs, and paid infrastructureStrong, well-planned cities—especially medium-sized urban corridors like Abidjan–Lagos—can transform regional economies

Resilience & Climate-Responsive Cities

Increased climate shocks—from floods to heatwaves—have displaced rural populations into cities : Without climate-smart planning, urban growth exacerbates inequality, health risks, and environmental degradation

Private Sector & ‘Startup City’ Solutions

Projects like Tatu City near Nairobi illustrate the potential of PPPs to build infrastructure, services, and affordable housing—though equity and governance remain concerns

Why the G20 Must Act Now

South Africa’s G20 presidency underscores global acknowledgment of Africa’s strategic importance—especially in inclusive growth, food security, and AI But cities deserve a place on the G20 agenda as engines of shared prosperity, climate resilience, and demographic transition.

Policy Recommendations

• Anchor urban transition in G20 policy frameworks—linking infrastructure, climate finance, youth employment.
• Support institutional capacity—fund urban governance, land registries, digital planning and local government empowerment
• Invest in transit corridors—fund transnational infrastructure like Lagos–Abidjan highway to spur regional integration
• Prioritise climate-resilient systems—urban design must include flood control, public transport, slum upgrading and ecosystem services
• Empower urban youth—scale up innovation labs, vocational training, civic entrepreneurship to evolve urban economies

Conclusion

African urban transition presents more than a challenge—it’s a generational opportunity. Instead of erasing informal settlements, governments should invite them into the design of thriving cities. The G20 must put urban transition alongside climate, trade and digital transformation to ensure African cities become hubs of shared prosperity.

THIS POST BY dailymaverick.co.za

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