Cities are uniquely positioned to be important connectors in supporting structural transformation and delivering economies of agglomeration and scale. Moreover, cities offer the advantages of an integrated ecosystem, thereby pulling in populations in their fullest diversity and density of expertise, innovation, and change.
In the meantime, Africa’s urban population is expected to treble from 400m in 2010 to 1.2bn in 2050. However, poor urban planning, low investment in infrastructure, inadequate governance, and environmental damage present urgent and complex challenges that can lock cities into dysfunctional forms. Urbanization without reform and modernization will hinder cities from fulfilling their social and economic potential.
We work with governments, city authorities, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to build the enabling environment for investment into sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure.
