The number of people living in African cities is expected to double, rising from 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, according to a new joint report by the Sahel and West Africa Club (OECD/SWAC), the African Development Bank, Cities Alliance, and United Cities and Local Governments of Africa.
According to projections in the report titled "African Urbanization Dynamics 2025: Planning for Urban Expansion," cities will absorb 80% of Africa's total population growth over this period.
By 2050, two out of three Africans will live in urban areas. The continent is expected to have 159 cities with over one million inhabitants and 17 megacities exceeding 10 million residents, placing Africa second only to Asia (3.5 billion urban dwellers). The report highlights a particularly strong concentration in Nigeria, which is projected to have an urban population of 250 million, making it the fourth largest globally. Meanwhile, Egypt, with 147 million urban residents, would rank among the top ten countries worldwide in terms of urban population.
Africa’s urbanization is also reflected in its spatial expansion. The report predicts that the growth rate of urban land area (3.2% annually) will outpace urban population growth (2.3% annually), increasing from 175,000 km² in 2020 to 450,000 km² by 2050.
“This rapid expansion must be closely monitored, as it illustrates the realities of growth dynamics, infrastructure needs, and environmental pressures,” the report warns. It examines the implications of this fast-paced urbanization on urban planning, governance, and financing.
Addressing policymakers, local governments, development partners, and experts, the analysis underscores that Africa’s urban transition “represents both a major challenge and a unique opportunity for transformation.” The authors assert that “with proactive planning, effective governance, and more innovative financing, African cities can become engines of inclusive economic growth.”
Source: FAAPA
