Digital revolution challenges and opportunities for African cities
Tackling infrastructure and skills is vital to make the most of urban growth and technology
The rapid expansion of Africa’s cities over the past decades has meant an increasing demand for infrastructure, service delivery and jobs. At the same time, African policy makers, urban planners and researchers are clamouring to find innovative solutions to meet these demands. The onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will see a fusion of technologies that blur the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres, will compound these challenges. Experts need to plan adequately for the disruptions. According to the Emerging Markets Forum, if trends continue, four of the world’s megacities will be in Africa by 2050: Cairo, Lagos, Kinshasa and the Gauteng city region. Alarmingly, 70% of Africa’s urban growth will be in secondary cities with inadequate sanitation, transport and governance infrastructure, according to the UN. By 2030, 15 cities in Africa will have populations of more than 5-million, most of whom will live in informal settlements. In SA, the National ...
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