A recent report from Economist Intelligence predicts that Lagos Johannesburg and Cairo will emerge as the top economic cities in Africa by 2035 driven by rapid urbanization population growth and economic expansion. The cities are expected to remain key players in Africa’s economic landscape aided by wealthier consumer markets more advanced commercial hubs and increased industrial production. As Africa’s urban population grows these cities will see significant economic developments supported by better infrastructure skilled labor and higher productivity.
In addition to these leading cities, other African urban centers like Kinshasa Dar es Salaam Addis Ababa, and Abidjan are projected to experience rapid population growth with the potential to become megacities. These cities will need robust infrastructure development to support their expanding populations. The growth of these urban areas will bring about shifts in economic activities with rising demand for services higher wages and greater financial service penetration creating more dynamic and complex economies.
However such rapid urbanization will also pose significant challenges. Issues such as overcrowding informal settlements unemployment and stretched public services are anticipated to emerge. With Africa’s urban population expected to reach 1 billion by 2035 cities will face social and environmental pressures. Despite these challenges the continent’s future urban development will be marked by larger city clusters and megacities which will shape the continent’s economic trajectory.
