Africa’s cities are expanding above ground. But beneath their streets, ageing and incomplete systems of pipes, drains, sewers and cables are becoming increasingly important to the future of urban life.When people think about city infrastructure, they usually see…

For African city leaders, sustainable urban development hinges on a crucial but often overlooked metric: the purchasing power of residents. This measure of what citizens can actually afford directly fuels municipal vitality. When households have strong purchasing power,…

In economics, the “O-Ring Theory” explains how a chain’s strength depends on its weakest link a single failure can cause total collapse. This principle applies critically to municipal finance in African cities, where success requires every component of…

Cities need land for housing, infrastructure, businesses, transport and public services. But many urban authorities still struggle with something fundamental: knowing exactly how their land is being used and how quickly it is changing.This is more than a…

In a transformative move for urban finance in Africa, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a ZAR 2.5 billion (approximately $139 million) corporate loan to the City of Johannesburg, marking its first direct lending to a sub-national…

Across Africa, skylines are transforming. Glass and steel towers rise where once low-rise buildings stood, symbols of economic ascent. Yet, in this race towards the future, a critical question emerges: how do cities grow without erasing their soul?…

Johannesburg has cleared a major financial obstacle ahead of South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections.The City of Johannesburg and City Power have fully settled more than R5.25 billion in overdue electricity debt owed to Eskom, removing the immediate…

Waste is one of the most visible signs of how well a city functions. When collection systems fail, illegal dumping increases, landfills reach capacity and waste accumulates in public spaces, the consequences quickly affect health, the environment and…

Policing the dense, often informal neighbourhoods of Africa’s rapidly expanding cities requires a paradigm shift. Traditional, heavy-handed enforcement often fails and erodes trust. The most effective strategies prioritize partnership and co-production of security with the community itself. Successful…

True urban safety begins not just with policing, but with the very design of our cities. Forward-thinking urban planning is a powerful, proactive tool to deter crime, creating environments that are naturally secure and socially cohesive. The principle…

Across Africa, the informal economy is not a marginal sector; it is the engine of employment, accounting for over 85% of jobs and demonstrating remarkable resilience. From street vendors to artisanal miners, this vast sector is a powerhouse…

Africa is making real progress in predicting and communicating extreme weather and other hazards. But the next challenge is making sure those warnings actually reach the people and communities that need them and that cities have the capacity…

East Africa’s City Leaders Unite to Shape a New Urban Growth CorridorAfrica’s cities are growing quickly, but the infrastructure and economic systems connecting them have not always grown at the same pace.That is becoming an increasingly important challenge…

For African city leaders, the escalating climate crisis is a daily reality. Yet, the vital flow of climate finance needed to build resilient urban infrastructure remains a largely unfulfilled promise, leaving communities exposed and services vulnerable. Despite a…