By 2050, 6.5 billion people will live in urban centers, two-thirds of the projected world population. Though buildings and skyscrapers are synonymous with cities, there is so much more to a city. They are places for innovation, crucial infrastructure for businesses, and economic opportunities.

Today, urbanization is a rapidly emerging trend in Africa. In a few short decades, a phenomenon of urbanization has come to the forefront, transforming agricultural-based economics into modern economies, leading many to declare that the future of Africa is urban.

How do we know that Africa is rapidly urbanizing?

Africa will continue to urbanize quickly in the next few decades. Experts predict that Africa’s population will double, and urban areas will absorb two-thirds of this increase. By 2030, six of the world’s 41 megacities will be in Africa and this number will increase to ten by 2050, with 156 million residents. As a result, the global share of African urban residents will grow to 20.2%, up from 11.2% in 2010.

Cities are essential in the country and the country’s economics for many reasons.

In the larger goal of economic transformation, Africa’s rapid urbanization is a good thing and a great thing for Africa’s economic development. Because cities are commercial activity centres, 18 major African cities will have a combined spending power of $1.3 trillion over the next decade. Megacities will drive 15 % of the world’s GDP.

Opportunities and challenges of African cities

While people move to big cities for better economic opportunities, there is evidence that poverty in African cities is higher than in other continents. A significant cause of this challenge is that Africa also lags in infrastructure, including consistent addressing systems.

We also know that people who move to the city do not initially find formal housing. As a result, many urban dwellers in Africa today do not have permanent addresses, equipped only with landmarks to describe where they are located. If rapid urbanization has taught us something, the environment around us is constantly changing, and using these to identify people is highly unsustainable. Establishing well-defined addresses using technology allows for lower cost, and when a person moves, they can easily change their address.

Addresses can help address poverty and help cities become through ecosystem do business and innovation, people become active consumers and build an economy. With better addressing systems, enterprising individuals can find success. For example, a person who wants to start a business is likely to have better access to traditional and microfinancing. Ecommerce businesses will also have more success as bad addresses present many obstacles for the growth of the sector.

Preparing for a primarily urban future

Based on the current predictions, we will see two-thirds of the population by 2050 living in cities in a few decades. Along with becoming the most populous continent, African cities will fast become international cities as they become hubs for global investment. Africa’s future is urban, and to fully embrace this opportunity, cities on the continent need to better organize their cities and become inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Both individuals and organizations can create addresses on Addressya! To get accurate addressing for your business or home, sign up here!

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