In a striking projection, it is anticipated that by the year 2040, Africa will boast a total of 31 cities with populations exceeding 5 million people, marking a significant increase of 19 cities compared to the present scenario.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive report underlining Africa’s status as the world’s fastest urbanizing region, with a noteworthy emphasis on the pivotal role played by its primary cities in this dynamic shift.
Despite 57 percent of Africa’s population residing in rural areas as recently as 2019, the continent has been urbanizing at an unparalleled pace, outstripping the urban growth rates observed elsewhere globally.
Since the turn of the century, Africa’s urban population has surged by 3.7 percent, surpassing the overall population growth rate of 2.5 percent on the continent.
Projections for the next two decades indicate that Africa will undergo a transformative shift, with over 500 million individuals migrating to urban centers, ultimately making the continent predominantly urban.
By 2040, a remarkable transformation is anticipated, with Africa hosting 12 cities, each boasting a population exceeding ten million people.
This expansion includes ten additional cities joining the ranks of major urban centers like Cairo and Lagos.
Furthermore, 19 emerging “second” cities are predicted to fall within the population range of five to ten million, a substantial increase from the current count of ten such cities.
However, amidst this urban surge, it is noted that Africa lags behind other regions in terms of the number and size of its second cities.
Notably, among the continent’s largest cities, only four out of 14 have a second city exceeding half the size of their primary urban centers.
The report reiterated the imperative need for substantial infrastructure investment in both primary and secondary cities.
This investment is deemed crucial to bolster businesses and provide the necessary support for the workforce, enabling these urban centers to attain the high productivity levels essential for accelerating economic growth across the continent.
As Africa undergoes this profound urban transformation, strategic investments are positioned as the linchpin for unlocking the full potential of its burgeoning cities.
