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Rapid Urban Growth in Africa Poses Challenges

Nicolas Pinault

   PARIS - Africa is projected to have the fastest population growth in
   the world over the next 30 years, and the majority of this growth will
   take place in urban areas. This transition is profoundly transforming
   the continent.

   African urbanization is massive and already a reality on the continent.

   According to a new report from a Paris-based policy group, the Sahel
   and West Africa Club, more than 50% of Africans already live in one of
   the 7,600 urban areas across the continent.

   In the coming decades, existing cities are expected to grow and many
   new cities to emerge.

   Philipp Heinrigs is a senior economist at the Organization for Economic
   Cooperation Development.

   "Urbanization will continue in Africa and current projections indicate
   that Africa's population will double between now and 2050," Heinrigs
   said."Two-thirds of this population growth will be absorbed by urban
   areas, which means that in the next 30 years African cities will be
   home to an additional 950 million people."

   These demographic trends create many challenges for city officials, who
   often lack the policies, funds or data to cope with rapid expansion.

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