Africa’s Growing Cities: Challenges and Opportunities
On January 16, 2024, the Wilson Center hosted a conversation on “Africa’s Growing Cities: Challenges and Opportunities,” with, the Mayor of Cape Town, South Africa Hon. Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Overview
Africa’s cities are the most rapidly growing cities in the world; they are among the youngest and they are changing fast. The continent’s 1.3 billion population is projected to double by 2050, and more than 70 percent of that increase will happen in cities. This rapid urbanization presents immense opportunities to accelerate growth, but it also entails important challenges in city planning and infrastructure development.
Hon. Geordin Hill-Lewis discussed these challenges and opportunities from his perspective as Mayor of the city of Cape Town which has the highest urbanization rate in South Africa. The conversation explored local and national policies, alongside international public, and private partnerships, that can promote infrastructure development, create safer cities, and support the management of Africa’s growing urban centers.
Speakers
Hon. Geordin Hill-Lewis
Mark Kennedy
Moderator
Hosted By
Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more
Environmental Change and Security Program
The Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) explores the connections between environmental change, health, and population dynamics and their links to conflict, human insecurity, and foreign policy. Read more
Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition
The Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition works to shape conversations and inspire meaningful action to strengthen technology, trade, infrastructure, and energy as part of American economic and global leadership that benefits the nation and the world. Read more
Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.
