Africa's Urban Population Projected to Reach 1.4 Billion by 2050
A report by SWAC, the African Development Bank, and UCLG Africa predicts Africa's urban population will double to 1.4 billion by 2050, with cities absorbing 80% of growth. By then, two-thirds of residents will be in urban areas, highlighting challenges and opportunities for governance and infrastructure to drive inclusive economic growth.
hassan benyoub 
A recent joint report by the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) of the OECD, the African Development Bank, Cities Alliance, and United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) projects that Africa's urban population will double from 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050. The report, titled "African Urbanization Dynamics 2025: Planning Urban Expansion," forecasts that cities will absorb 80% of Africa's total projected population growth during this period.
By 2050, two-thirds of the continent's population will reside in urban areas, with Africa hosting 159 urban agglomerations of over one million inhabitants and 17 megacities with more than 10 million residents. This growth places Africa second only to Asia in terms of urban population size, with Asia projected to have 3.5 billion urban dwellers.
Notably, Nigeria is expected to have an urban population of 250 million, ranking fourth globally, while Egypt will have 147 million urban residents, placing it among the top ten countries worldwide in urban population rankings.
The urbanization trend in Africa is also marked by spatial expansion, with the average annual growth rate of urban area expected to surpass that of urban population, at 3.2% versus 2.3%, respectively. Between 2020 and 2050, urban areas are projected to expand from 175,000 km² to 450,000 km².
The report warns that this rapid expansion must be closely monitored, as it reflects growth dynamics, infrastructure needs, and environmental pressures. It emphasizes that Africa's urban transition presents both a major challenge and a unique opportunity for transformation. With proactive planning, effective governance, and innovative financing, African cities can become drivers of inclusive economic growth, according to the report's analysis aimed at policymakers, local governments, development partners, and urban experts.
