African cities - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

African cities with the most millionaires

GROWING private wealth in Africa is transforming the continent's major cities into hubs for millionaires and billionaires, according to the latest Henley & Partners Africa Wealth Report. Collectively, these urban centres are home to 135,200 millionaires, 342 centi-millionaires with fortunes exceeding US$100 million, and 21 billionaires. With the number of high-net-worth individuals projected to jump by 65% over the next decade, these cities are not only expanding economically but are also setting the stage for a new era of prosperity and influence. bird TenX lists the top ten cities and regions for private wealth in Africa:1. Johannesburg, South Africa: 12,300…

Mar

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Cultural wealth can drive economic growth in African cities

NEWS

WITH the right policies, African cities hold immense potential to drive significant economic growth by capitalizing on their rich cultural heritage and harnessing the creativity of their youthful populations, according to a new report. “Africa’s urban landscapes are not just repositories of heritage and tradition; they are dynamic centres of innovation, awaiting the right policies to support unlocking their full potential,” the report finds. Titled 'African Alternatives: The Future of Creative Cities,' the report is published by the World Cities Culture Forum, a network comprising local governments and cultural sector leaders from 44 global cities. Through interviews with over 150…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Building African cities that cope with climate shocks – experts outline what it will take

AFRICITIES

THE international climate change negotiations began almost three decades ago when many were still hesitant to accept that human activities were changing the planet. Now the scientific evidence is unequivocal. Climate change is a major threat to our wellbeing, the health of the planet and the ecosystems we rely on. DEBRA ROBERTS, Head: Sustainable and Resilient City Initiatives Unit, EThekwini Municipality; Honorary Professor, University of KwaZulu Natal and Co-Chair of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, University of KwaZulu-Natal MEGGAN SPIRES, Director: Climate Change, Energy & Resilience, ICLEI Africa, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability But…

Oct

2023

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Centi-millionaires fuel luxury property enclaves in Africa’s major cities

NEWS

AFFLUENT households are starting to make up a noticeable share of renters and buyers in major African cities, in a marked shift in the continent's luxury property domain. Cape Town, with its panoramic vistas, wineries and deep-rooted history, takes the lead as the most expensive African city - at US$5,200 per square metre according to the new Henley & Partners report. Not far behind are other South African coastal jewels, Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay, each priced at US$2,200 per square metre, drawing the wealthy with their serene ocean views and luxurious amenities. For Marrakech in Morocco, renowned for its vibrant…

Feb

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

DR Congo revamps its rail system as more African cities rethink public transit

AFRICITIES

THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the latest African country to initiate plans to refurbish its rail network after entering into a multi-million dollar project with the Africa Finance Corporation to renew Kinshasa's mass rail transit system. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Trans Connexion Congo (TCC) will jointly develop the rail network, covering a linear route of 300km of the railroad in Kinshasa. According to Amadu Wadda, Senior Director, Project Development & Technical Solutions at Africa Finance Corporation, "the project aims to rapidly industrialise DRC's capital city, Kinshasa, through its rail transportation system." "The project will support local…

Dec

2022

By The African Mirror

Wildlife in concrete jungles: These two African cities are home to a thriving wildlife population

AFRICITIES

LUCY GITHUGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY KENYA, the most famous country in Eastern Africa, was named the world’s leading Safari destination for 2021 by the World Travel Awards for the seventh year in a row. With over 50 national parks and game reserves, the country’s vast wildlife preserves have remained a competitive destination among domestic and international tourists. Unbeknownst to many, two of Kenya's cities, Nakuru and Nairobi, offer a unique package in the nation's Safari tourism package. Both cities have national parks sitting right on their doorsteps. Nairobi National Park is the only national park in the world located within…

Oct

2022

By The African Mirror

Water problems: No Day Zero for Johannesburg

NEWS

BIÉNNE HUISMAN, BIRD STORY AGENCY EVERY day, residents of South Africa’s economic hub, Johannesburg, wake up wondering whether there will be water in their taps. Just more than 1,000 kilometres away, in Gqeberha, a water crisis is unfolding, too. These won't be the last African cities to worry over a looming "Day Zero" when water runs out. But there are ways to avoid it happening. Cape Town has been there and done that – and knows that without careful planning and preparation, there could easily be a repeat of 2018’s “Day Zero” crisis. “Day Zero” was to mark the onset…

Sep

2022

By The African Mirror

Akin Mabogunje: Nigerian urban geographer who mapped the origin and trends of African cities

AFRICITIES

I was introduced to Professor Akin Mabogunje’s work when I joined the Department of Estate Management at the University of Lagos in 2011. As a new junior lecturer, I had to read the key text being used by my course leader. It was here that I first encountered Mabogunje’s work on urbanisation in Nigeria. I never met Mabogunje, who died in Lagos on 4 August 2022 at the age of 90. And though my first experience of his work was not as a student, today his writings play a key part in what my own students learn. Each year when…

Apr

2022

By The African Mirror

African cities can do more to protect children from climate change

AFRICITIES

SIX in 10 people will be living in cities by 2030. This is concerning. Cities are responsible for over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet cities can also do a lot to mitigate climate change and help people adapt to its impacts. Cities can use renewable energy sources, promote greener transport, and get industries to cut pollution and adopt cleaner production techniques. Also, they can form or use existing networks and partnerships to strengthen these efforts. Author RONGEDZAYI FAMBASAYI, Doctoral Researcher: Faculty of Law, North-West University Almost 1 billion children – nearly half of the world’s children – live…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Cities need inclusive COVID-19 responses to build back stronger. But we can’t do it alone

AFRICITIES

NINETY-FIVE of Covid-19 cases are reported in urban areas. That puts cities on the frontlines of a global public health crisis that is widening the gap between those with the comfort and safety of a home and those forced to leave their homes behind. Dire budget shortfalls and lost revenue — up to 65 percent for African cities and 15-25 percent globally — will curtail the ability of cities to deliver critical services and economic opportunity to all their residents in 2021, especially those who need it the most. Even before Covid-19 hit, my city of Freetown faced a reckoning. More than a third of residents – many rural migrants – lived in informal settlements where disease is common…