Sub-Saharan Africa's cities are growing fast but are not delivering their full economic potential, according to a new World Bank report. The Eastleigh Voice reported that the lender blames infrastructure gaps, poor urban planning and weak governance. It says these problems are holding back job creation.
Towns and cities in the region are expected to add 748 million people over the next 25 years. That would take the urban population to 1.7 billion by 2050. Between 1950 and 2025, the urban population grew by 742 million. Over the same period, average GDP per capita stayed largely flat at about $4,400. The report estimates the region needs about 15 million new jobs a year just to keep pace with its growing workforce.
The report says urban growth is a major chance to create work for the region's young and growing population. "The region is at risk of missing out on these gains without decisive action by its national and local policymakers," the World Bank said.
The report identifies three separate problems. In major cities, poor transport and restrictive land rules have blocked the growth of accessible, job-rich business clusters. The World Bank recommends investing in mass public transport. It also urges changes to building rules to allow affordable, higher-density housing near jobs.
On the fast-growing edges of cities, unplanned growth has created scattered settlements, pushed up infrastructure costs and hurt productivity. The lender suggests building main road networks before expansion. It also proposes land reforms so developers and landowners can plan plots and services together. Public-private partnerships could help develop special economic zones in these areas, it says.
Smaller towns are often overlooked, the report says, even though many could become economic centres. This applies especially to towns along transport corridors. The World Bank calls for targeted investment in high-potential towns and for reclassifying them from rural to urban status. It also wants stronger city governance. This includes wider property tax coverage, land-based financing, digital revenue collection and more predictable transfers between levels of government.
The report came out just before World Cities Day, which the UN marks every year on October 31. According to The Star, this year's global observance was hosted in Fuzhou, China. The UN says up to 3.4 billion people worldwide lack adequate housing or basic services.