As cities across the globe mark World Cities Day on 31st October, the focus turns to how people-centred smart cities can shape sustainable, equitable, and resilient futures. For Africa, where the effects of climate change amplify urban vulnerabilities, the challenge and opportunity lies in designing cities that uplift communities while withstanding environmental and economic shocks.
An estimated 118 million people in Africa’s most vulnerable populations could face intensified drought, flooding, and heat by 2030. Beyond physical damage, these events erode livelihoods, disrupt economies, and deepen existing inequalities rooted in colonial-era city planning. Experts stress that adapting African cities to this reality means more than upgrading infrastructure it requires transforming how they serve people.
Nearly half of Africa’s population already lives in cities, a figure expected to double by 2050. The temptation to build new smart cities on untouched land risks worsening inequality if existing infrastructure is neglected. “Retrofitting enhances energy efficiency, revitalises old spaces, and integrates sustainability into the heart of urban living,” says Alison Groves, Director of Built Ecology at WSP in Africa. “It’s about smarter, more inclusive growth.”
Transport and energy systems are equally central to that equation. Efficient networks, says WSP’s John Rammutla, “connect economies and communities shaping how people live, move, and prosper.” Intelligent Transport Systems [ITS] and integrated planning can reduce emissions, boost safety, and improve economic access for millions.
Designing Africa’s Future Cities, Today
Africa’s energy transition adds another dimension. With 600 million people still lacking electricity, renewable solutions must balance access with sustainability. “Energy equity and decarbonisation go hand in hand,” notes renewable energy expert Zayd Vawda. Meanwhile, water scarcity and ageing infrastructure threaten to undercut gains unless managed holistically. “Urban growth must prioritise both water access and stewardship,” adds water specialist Priya Moodley.
As African cities grow at record pace, the question is no longer whether they will expand, but how. The continent’s next-generation cities will define not just Africa’s resilience, but its prosperity. Designing them for people first may be the smartest investment Africa can make.
