Launch of the report: African Urbanisation Dynamics 2025, co-authored by OECD/SWAC, AfDB, Cities Alliance and UCLG Africa

On 6 March 2025, a webinar was held to launch the report ‘Dynamics of African Urbanisation 2025’. Written jointly by the OECD Sahel and West Africa Club (OECD/SWAC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) and Cities Alliance, the publication provides an overview of urbanisation trends in Africa and aims to explore the implications for urban planning, governance and financing.     

The proceedings were moderated by Mrs. Nana Touré, Director, OECD/ SWAC. After opening remarks by Mr. Greg Munro, Director of Cities Alliance, Mr. Philipp Heinrigs, Head of Division, OECD/SWAC, presented the first two chapters of the report. The third chapter was presented by Mr. Julian Baskin, Senior Urban Planning Advisor at Cities Alliance, and Mr. François Yatta, Director of Operations and Technical Assistance at UCLG Africa. Mr. Stefan Atchia, Director, Urban Development Division, AfDB, shared the key points of chapter 4. 

The second panel featured contributions from : Mrs. Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of Banjul (Gambia) and President, the Network of local elected Women of Africa (REFELA)  (REFELA), Mrs. Kecia Rust, Executive Director & Founder, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF) and Mrs. Ruth Nakatudde, President, Professional Urban Planners’ Association of East Africa (PUPAEA), Principal Physical Planner, Wakiso District| Technical Expert on Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Infrastructure Program. The closing remarks were given by Mr. Mike Salawou, Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at the AfDB.   

The Director of Cities Alliance, Greg Munro, underlined the fact that: “The world is doing 3 things. It’s Africanising, it’s urbanising and it’s informalising. Africa will account for 40% of the world’s population by 2100. The report presents trends in urban planning and urbanisation. There will be 17 megacities in Africa. We need to prepare for the future, prepare for urban growth, considering the intensive decentralisation of States. This report is useful because it provides a basis for thinking about the future”.   

François Yatta pointed out that “urbanisation is not seen as an opportunity but rather as a risk in Africa. In a large number of African countries, financial decentralisation has not followed the transfer of powers to local authorities. Only 4% of countries have a clear financial transfer system”. 

The Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, called on international institutions to work more closely with local and regional authorities, placing women and young people at the centre of their actions. “From an African perspective, where we have our cultural and traditional norms, women and children are the most vulnerable people. If you don’t have data, you can’t work and plan. Most institutions with financial power want to work with central government rather than local government. Local government is not at the top of their agenda, but that’s where the impact is. Women mayors are dying, they are exhausted, we need help from our international partners. 92% of Banjul’s population is young. Data is a tool that allows women to express themselves’, she pleaded”.  

Download the report here.

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