Africa: Rethinking the city of tomorrow

# Why This Matters Urban planning decisions made in African cities today will determine whether hundreds of millions of people gain access to reliable infrastructure and climate-resilient housing, or face deepening inequality and environmental collapse. As Africa's urban population is projected to reach 1.2 billion by 2050—with cities like Lagos, Cairo, and Kinshasa already straining under rapid growth—the design of transportation systems, water management, and energy grids established now will lock in either sustainable or extractive development patterns for decades. Breaking from colonial-era planning that prioritized extraction and elite enclaves for Western benefit offers a concrete opportunity to prioritize dense, affordable housing and public transit that serve residents rather than foreign investors. The continent's approach to this challenge will serve as a test case for whether developing nations can build genuinely inclusive cities or whether growth will simply replicate the sprawling inequality and carbon intensity that characterizes cities in wealthier nations.