Cities as Engines of Growth

Cities as Engines of Growth: Unlocking Urban Productivity and Job Creation

Africa has not yet tapped the benefits of urbanisation. Urbanisation could be a driver of economic growth in Africa, but action must be taken soon if African cities are to tap into its benefits and avoid progressive impoverishment.

In order to unlock urban productivity and significantly ramp up job creation, major action and new ideas are required. Cities could become more productive by building a hybrid economy in which informal activities are increasingly integrated into value chains embedded in priority sectors with the greatest potential to expand. It is needed as well directly addressing inequitable access to infrastructure, service and housing that acutely characterises informal activities and workers.