Coming out of the conversations at the Africities summit it is clear that the African reality requires a new way of thinking to do with the transformation and growth of its cities.

These urban realities include a population that will double in 25 years, a slum prevalence level of 61% (higher than any other region in the world),  a labour force where 63% are in vulnerable employment, where congestion can equate to 2% of a country’s economy and where 400million more people will need water connections in the next 20 years.  

In a session on Africa’s priorities for a new urban agenda, Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Director of the Monitoring and Research Division at UN-HABITAT, explained how Africa has “defied conventional wisdom”. ... Next year at Habitat III, the United Nations conference on housing and sustainable urban development, countries will have the opportunity to discuss a “New Urban Agenda” that will focus on policies and strategies that can result in effectively harnessing the power and forces behind urbanisation.

Because of the unique challenges that the continent faces, African ministers of housing and urban development have put together a common African position for the conference, the first region in the world to do this.

The draft position is based on an agenda of 8 pillars which, amongst other things, pursue strong urban planning, the reallocation of economic activity away from the least productive sectors of the economy to more productive ones, and promotes inclusive and sustainable growth.