We Must Build Cities That Pulse With Life , Drive Progress, Lift People Out Of Poverty - Nabakooba Tells African Urban Forum

The Lands, Housing, and Urban Development Minister, Hon Judith Nabakooba has underscored the need for African countries to build cities with massive investments in infrastructure, housing, and essential services that will not only support urban growth but also drive long-term development.

In her speech at the opening of a three-day Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia on September 4, 2024, Nabakooba said unlocking the power of urbanization requires a bold and forward-thinking approach to financing, and central to this is the need for innovative financing.

 The minister who is also the Chairperson of Housing and Urbanisation, of The African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralization (AU-STC NO.8) said Africa's cities are on the frontlines of a global crisis, facing unprecedented threats from floods, droughts, heat-waves, landslides, water scarcity, food insecurity, and other climate-related disasters, as well as rapid urbanization, population growth, and social inequality.

She said by prioritizing sustainable urban development, they can unlock the potential of the different African cities to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve livelihoods while promoting social cohesion, environmental stewardship, and reduced pollution.

“With the global urban population projected to reach 6.7 billion by 2050 (UN, 2022), leveraging innovative financing mechanisms-such as public-private partnerships, development finance, green bonds, impact investing, crowdfunding, infrastructure investment trusts, and municipal bonds-is vital,” she said, adding that these mechanisms can help attract the capital needed to build cities that are not only functional but also vibrant, inclusive, and competitive on a global scale.

She added: “The theme of the forum, Sustainable Urbanization for Africa's Structural Transformation, is timely and crucial. Africa faces numerous structural challenges, including rapid population growth projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050 (UN DESA, 2022), persistent funding gaps in infrastructure estimated at $130 billion annually (AfDB, 2020), declining public resources, and increasing impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.”

The chairperson also revealed that the goal of Agenda 2063, which the entire continent is striving to realize, is a transformative urbanization-driven structural revolution.

She said urbanization will propel the socio-economic and structural metamorphosis of the continent through innovation, cultural interchange, resilience building, the development of urban jobs, and the provision of sustainable infrastructure. 

The minister used the platform to call on member states to seize the moment to shape Africa's urban future. “Let us advance the conversation on urbanization, come up with concrete action, and solutions to solve the most pressing challenges facing our cities. Let us work together to nurture and grow our cities, making them inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous for all.

 The future of Africa is urban, and the future is now.” She commended the Africa Union Commission for spearheading the preparations for the forum in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlement Program and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

 Aimed at discussing and sharing best practices on the urbanisation and housing agenda of Africa, the event was attended by different dignitaries such as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ambassadors, Ministers from AU Member States, deputy Chairperson of AU, representatives from the African Union, UNECA and UN agencies.

 Background

The African Union Commission and its member-states established the Africa Urban Forum during the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralization (AU-STC.No.8) held in Cairo, Egypt in August 2022.

The Africa Urban Forum has been conceptualized upon the mounting recognition, deepening understanding, and growing recognition of the rapid urbanization in Africa, its opportunities, & challenges, and the need to create a pan-African, high-level, and inclusive platform to support an integrated and holistic approach to unlocking the potential of urbanization on the continent.