African cityscape illustrating the contrast between smart city visions and urban poverty.

African Urbanization: Building Smart Cities or Expanding Slums?

Reese Marlowe in Global Affairs June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the factors driving urban growth in Africa and the potential for smart city development to address challenges and promote sustainable urban living."

Cities are becoming increasingly important in Africa, a continent experiencing rapid demographic and urban growth. These urban centers face immense challenges related to spatial planning, infrastructure, and employment. A central question emerges: Will the majority of new African city dwellers end up living in slums, or can innovative urban development approaches enable the rise of 'smart cities' across the continent?

The proportion of city dwellers in Africa has risen dramatically, from 14% in 1950 to 40% in 2018. Approximately a quarter of the world's 100 fastest-growing cities are located in Africa, with 52 cities boasting populations exceeding one million. Projections suggest that the urban population in Africa will surge from 400 million in 2018 to an estimated 1.2 billion by 2050.

This raises critical questions about the nature of this urbanization. Will African cities be able to provide adequate housing, infrastructure, and services for their growing populations, or will they be overwhelmed by the challenges, leading to the proliferation of informal settlements and slums? The concept of 'smart cities' offers a potential pathway towards more sustainable and inclusive urban development, but its implementation in the African context requires careful consideration of local realities and priorities.

Understanding Africa's Diverse Urban Landscape

African cityscape illustrating the contrast between smart city visions and urban poverty.

Urban population percentages vary significantly across Africa. Higher percentages are typically found in North African countries, coastal nations along the Gulf of Guinea (including West and Central African states), and the southern tip of the continent. Conversely, countries located inland and along the East African coast tend to have considerably lower urban population percentages.

Significant disparities also exist in the annual growth rates of urban populations across Africa. Some countries exhibit relatively low annual growth rates, below 2%. These are mainly located in North Africa, Southern Africa, and, to a lesser extent, the Gulf of Guinea. In contrast, several other countries, primarily in the interior of the continent and East Africa, experience very high annual urban population growth rates, exceeding 5%.

High vs. Low Urbanization: Countries with higher percentages of urban population often have lower annual urban growth rates, and vice versa.
Regional Variations: North Africa, the Gulf of Guinea, and Southern Africa have higher urbanization rates, while inland and East African countries lag.
Growth Rate Disparities: Some countries experience slow urban growth (below 2%), while others face rapid growth (over 5%).

These demographic indicators – urbanization rate and urban population growth rate – are inversely related across the continent. Countries with the highest urban population percentages generally have the lowest annual urban growth rates. This suggests that regions with established urban centers are experiencing slower growth, while those with lower urbanization rates are undergoing more rapid transformation.

Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Development

The future of African cities hinges on addressing key challenges and harnessing the potential of smart city initiatives. While technology plays a crucial role, it's essential to prioritize inclusive development that benefits all residents, reduces inequalities, and promotes social justice. By focusing on affordable and accessible ICT solutions, investing in infrastructure, and fostering participatory urban planning, African cities can pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary challenges facing African cities due to rapid urbanization?

African cities are grappling with immense challenges stemming from rapid demographic and urban growth. These include issues related to spatial planning, the strain on existing infrastructure, and the creation of sufficient employment opportunities for the swelling urban populations. The fundamental question is whether these cities can provide adequate housing, infrastructure, and essential services to their growing populations, or if they will be overwhelmed, leading to a proliferation of informal settlements and slums. Addressing these core challenges is crucial for the future of African cities.

How does the concept of 'smart cities' offer a potential solution to the challenges of African urbanization?

The concept of 'smart cities' provides a potential pathway toward more sustainable and inclusive urban development in Africa. 'Smart cities' leverage technology and innovative approaches to address the challenges of urbanization, offering solutions related to infrastructure, service delivery, and urban planning. However, the implementation of 'smart cities' in the African context requires careful consideration of local realities and priorities to ensure inclusive development that benefits all residents, reduces inequalities, and promotes social justice. This includes prioritizing affordable and accessible ICT solutions and fostering participatory urban planning.

What is the current urbanization trend in Africa, and how does it compare to the past?

Africa is experiencing rapid urbanization. The proportion of city dwellers in Africa has dramatically increased, from 14% in 1950 to 40% in 2018. Approximately a quarter of the world's 100 fastest-growing cities are located in Africa, with 52 cities boasting populations exceeding one million. Projections indicate a substantial surge in the urban population, from 400 million in 2018 to an estimated 1.2 billion by 2050. This represents a significant shift, highlighting the need for sustainable and inclusive urban development strategies.

Are there regional variations in urbanization patterns across Africa, and if so, what are they?

Yes, significant regional variations exist in urbanization patterns across Africa. Higher urban population percentages are typically found in North African countries, coastal nations along the Gulf of Guinea (including West and Central African states), and the southern tip of the continent. In contrast, countries located inland and along the East African coast tend to have considerably lower urban population percentages. Furthermore, disparities exist in the annual growth rates of urban populations. Some countries, mainly in North Africa, Southern Africa, and, to a lesser extent, the Gulf of Guinea, exhibit low annual urban growth rates (below 2%). Conversely, several other countries, primarily in the interior of the continent and East Africa, experience very high annual urban population growth rates, exceeding 5%.

How do urbanization rates and urban population growth rates correlate across Africa?

Demographic indicators, specifically urbanization rate and urban population growth rate, are inversely related across the African continent. Countries with the highest urban population percentages generally have the lowest annual urban growth rates. This suggests that regions with established urban centers are experiencing slower growth, while those with lower urbanization rates are undergoing more rapid transformation. For example, countries in North Africa, which have higher urbanization rates, tend to have lower annual urban growth rates compared to countries in East Africa, which have lower urbanization rates but higher urban population growth rates.