Safety and security
Many residents of African cities are vulnerable to widespread crime and violence. Perceived and real threats of violence or exposure to crime can limit mobility – particularly for women and girls, children and minority groups – with a knock-on effect on education, livelihoods and general wellbeing.
Notably, in conflict-affected African states, violence, armed insurgency and terrorism might unfold in cities or generate an exodus of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) into urban areas. Crime, violence and conflict undermine economic growth and deepen mistrust of governance, security and justice institutions – frequently leading to vigilante organisations and “street justice”.
Enhancing safety and security in African cities requires pulling together various city systems, such as transport, road networks, policing, land ownership, water and sanitation, and electricity. ACRC will analyse the interplay of these systems – along with how the political economy of safety and security is reflected within city power dynamics – to identify measures that reduce violence and crime, and address the perception and fear of harm. We will also explore conflict resolution and how the integration of IDPs can be better facilitated within conflict-affected states.
LATEST NEWS from ACRC


Household microenterprises in African cities: A conversation with Selina Pasirayi and Rollins Chitika
Ademola Omoegun talks to two city-based researchers from the neighbourhood and district economic development domain – Selina Pasirayi (Harare) and Rollins Chitika (Lilongwe) – about the critical role that household microenterprises (HMEs) play in African cities.


Gendered experiences of rural migrant youth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
“I have lived everything there is to be lived in this city. Now I need to leave because all that is left for me here is misery and I want a better life for my child.”


Gender and (in)formal security provision in Maiduguri, Nigeria
While on fieldwork in Maiduguri, I met Aisha (not her real name), who introduced herself as the commander of the vigilante group in her community.