Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – On 4-6 September 2024, the Government of Ethiopia, the African Union Commission, UN-Habitat and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), organized the inaugural Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to address the challenges of rapid urbanization across the continent.
The forum brought together diverse stakeholders, including city leaders, government officials, business executives, financiers, technologists, and youth representatives, to create a collaborative platform for sharing knowledge and promoting sustainable development in African cities.
African cities are integral to the continent’s economic and social progress, contributing over 50% of Africa’s GDP. However, the rapid urbanization has introduced challenges such as underdeveloped infrastructure, climate vulnerabilities, and socio-economic inequalities. Stephen Karingi, Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division at UNECA, highlighted these issues in his opening remarks.
Gertrude Rose Gamwera, Secretary-General of the East African County and Local Governments Association (EACLGA), emphasized the need to dismantle silos and enhance cross-sectoral collaboration to drive urban transformation. She participated in panel discussions on sustainable urbanization, value chain integration, and multilevel governance, underscoring the crucial role of local governments in urban development and advocating for their increased involvement in decision-making.
Founded by the African Union Commission and its member states in 2022, the Africa Urban Forum offers a platform for governments to collaborate on improving African cities, making them centers of hope, growth, and prosperity.
The event concluded with the adoption of a declaration, outlining key recommendations for advancing sustainable urban development in Africa.
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