The EIU’s latest African Cities 2035 report revealed that Africa is on the brink of a major urban revolution. With the continent’s population surging, Africa is officially the world’s fastest urbanizing region and, by 2035, its urban population is set to hit 1 billion (up from 650 million in 2023). Six African cities — Luanda, Dar es Salaam, Cairo, Kinshasa, Lagos and Greater Johannesburg — will each surpass 10 million residents by 2035. In fact, over half of Africans will call cities home, transforming urban centers into buzzing hubs of innovation, creativity and economic dynamism.
This urban boom brings its own set of challenges: overcrowding, informal settlements, stretched infrastructure and climate vulnerabilities. City planners are tasked with balancing rapid growth with sustainable, forward-thinking solutions 🌱
🌍 The bottom line: as Africa's cities swell, they’ll be hotspots for both wealth creation and social tensions. Opportunities and challenges will grow in tandem. So, city planner or not, how can you help young people thrive in these emerging megacities?