Latest News + Insights
Expanding school feeding in Nairobi’s informal settlements
On 4 February 2026, LVCT Health and ACRC convened a validation workshop to review findings from a pilot study examining the potential of school feeding programmes in Nairobi’s informal school sector.
Empowering Mogadishu’s young people in civic activism and urban citizenship
Building on ACRC’s research in Mogadishu, the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies organised a three-day workshop on “Empowering youth for civic activism and urban citizenship”, in collaboration with ACRC and the Somali Gender and Equity Movement (SGEM).
Watch: Water, sanitation and dignity in Mukuru Viwandani
A new video showcases the power of collaboration between government, civil society organisations, development partners and local communities in delivering transformative and inclusive water and sanitation services to marginalised residents of the Mukuru informal settlements in Nairobi.
Streetlights in Lagos can boost safety and grow the economy – why not everyone benefits
Streetlighting plays a crucial role in public safety and security, and it promotes inclusive social and economic development by boosting local commerce, street businesses and community engagement.
Spotlighting community-led climate resilience efforts in Tafara, Harare
A recent media engagement event, held by the ACRC city team in Harare, has led to a flurry of media coverage in the Zimbabwean press.
The news stories explore findings emerging from the ACRC climate resilience action research project, along with the progress that has been made towards more secure housing through the Harare Slum Upgrading Programme.
In the shadow of Nairobi’s expansion: From peasants to paupers
In a new open access book, Peasants to Paupers: Land, Class and Kinship in Central Kenya, Peter Lockwood – former Hallsworth Fellow at The University of Manchester and now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Goettingen – tells the human stories behind Kenya’s rapid urban expansion and the families being left behind.
Crime-fighting in Lagos: Community watch groups are the preferred choice for residents, but they carry risks
Criminal activities have developed into a security crisis in Nigeria. Alongside the responses of security agencies such as the police and military, there has been a huge local response, with community groups mobilising in the face of criminal attacks.
Awareness of youth programmes in Uganda is high – so why is participation so low?
Across Uganda, awareness of government youth programmes is impressively high, but youth participation remains stubbornly low. Our recent study sought to understand why knowing about these programmes does not necessarily translate into active participation.
Left in the dark: Understanding streetlighting provision challenges in Lagos and its informal settlements
Safe streets make for safe cities, but a lack of lighting can exacerbate the everyday insecurity of urban residents. ACRC’s safety and security research in Lagos found the absence of streetlighting in low-income areas to be a key concern among residents, as the cover of darkness facilitates urban crime and makes law enforcement more difficult.
Welcoming Professor Tom Goodfellow to Manchester
We’re excited to welcome Professor Tom Goodfellow to The University of Manchester to take up a dual role as Professor of Urban Development at the Global Development Institute (GDI) and CEO of the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) – a position he will take over from Diana Mitlin in August this year.
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