OECD-Africa's Urbanisation Dynamics 2025

March 6, 2025--Planning for Urban Expansion
Abstract Africa's Urbanisation Dynamics 2025 provides the most comprehensive view of projected urbanisation dynamics to date, with detailed insights into urban population growth and spatial expansion in over 11 000 urban agglomerations across Africa's 54 countries.

Over the next three decades, Africa's urban population will double, increasing from 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, making it the continent with the second largest urban population after Asia.

The report examines the implications of this growth for urban planning, governance and financing. It provides projections, insights and actionable recommendations tailored for policy makers, local governments, development partners and experts. Africa's urban transition represents both a pressing challenge and a transformative opportunity. With proactive planning, effective governance and innovative financing, cities can become engines of inclusive economic growth. It is essential to act now to manage urban growth in ways that foster sustainability, inclusion and resilience, paving the way for a thriving urban future.