Mar 1, 2022 | Commentary, Lagos
By Ola Uduku and Taibat Lawanson From its historical origins as a fishing village and the site of a pepper farm, to today’s bustling metropolis, Lagos has evolved into a complex agglomeration of people, settlements and vested interests. As the economic powerhouse of...
Feb 16, 2022 | Addis Ababa, Commentary
By Ezana Haddis Weldeghebrael With an estimated population of more than 3.7 million people, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is home to about a quarter of Ethiopia’s urban population. The city generates well above 29% of Ethiopia’s urban GDP and 20% of national...
Nov 22, 2021 | Commentary
By Diana Mitlin, The University of Manchester Cities across Africa are growing at an astonishing rate. All 20 of Africa’s fastest growing cities have experienced average growth rates of more than 6% over the last decade. Gwagwalada, on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria,...
Nov 11, 2021 | Accra, Commentary
By Ransford A. Acheampong, The University of Manchester In the last few decades, the metropolis of Ghana’s capital city, Accra, has grown rapidly, sprawling into neighbouring districts. A recent study found that the built-up area of Accra and the surrounding...
Aug 12, 2021 | Commentary
What can we learn from looking at Africa through the lens of its cities? This blog is the seventh in a series exploring different aspects of city development and urban change in Africa, featuring contributions from researchers and practitioners working within the...
