Urbanization as an Opportunity: The AfDB Amplifies Africa’s Voice at the 12th Edition of the World Urban Forum
The largest platform for urban issues returns to Africa after more than two decades, providing the African Development Bank (AfDB) and its partners an opportunity to explore strategies to empower African municipalities and local governments while maximizing the benefits of sustainable urbanization. Discover the key highlights of the AfDB’s agenda at WUF.
In 2002, UN-Habitat chose its Nairobi headquarters to host the inaugural World Urban Forum (WUF), a biennial event that has since become the world’s leading platform for urban development discussions. For its 12th edition, scheduled for November 4–8, WUF will take place in Cairo, Africa's most populous city, marking the forum's return to the continent. In the two decades between these events, Africa has been reshaped by rapid urban growth, the fastest in the world. Over this period, Cairo’s metropolitan population alone has doubled, from 10 million to over 20 million inhabitants.
This dynamic is set to continue. Over the next three decades, Africa will experience an unprecedented urban population boom, doubling from 704 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, according to African Urbanization Dynamics 2024, an AfDB-OECD report to be launched at WUF12 that provides a comprehensive view of urbanization on the continent.
Within this context, urban planning, sustainability, social inclusion, and financing urban investment projects remain at the core of the African Development Bank’s mission. The AfDB’s 2024–2033 Ten-Year Strategy underscores that “Over the decade ahead, urbanization and rising incomes will continue to reshape markets and create new value chains, with Africa’s cities playing a key role in innovation, investment, and climate change response.”
In 2019, the AfDB introduced guidelines on subnational finance, enabling direct financial support for projects led by municipalities and local governments. That same year, the Bank also established the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) to support African cities in areas of planning, governance, and access to finance. Leveraging this accumulated expertise, AfDB’s Urban Development Division and UMDF experts will actively engage in the global dialogue on urban issues promoted by WUF.
The AfDB Agenda at WUF12:
Panels and training sessions organized or co-organized by the AfDB
Global river cities for sustainable urban development
• 05.11.2024
• 11:00 to 12:30
• SDGs in Action - room D
Organized by the AfDB and the Inter-American Development Bank, This event brings together global leaders from river basin cities to discuss the critical role of rivers in sustainable urban development and resilience. It will highlight the challenges of rapid urbanization along rivers while showcasing how collaborative efforts across river city networks can lead to positive outcomes. Topics include reducing river pollution, enhancing climate resilience, enhancing trade, and promoting city leadership in river management. The event will share success stories, advocate for collaboration, and push for sustainable river-focused strategies.
Empowering african cities - advancing urban mobility solutions
• 07.11.2024
• 09:00-12:00
• Training Events- Multipurpose room 08
Co-organized by the AfDB, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), UN-Habitat and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) this training session focused on sustainable urban mobility solutions for African cities. Participants will learn best practices in infrastructure development, policy-making, financing strategies, and stakeholder collaboration. The program will also introduce the Pan African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM) to promote active mobility initiatives. Through case studies and practical activities, the training will equip participants with the tools to address urban mobility challenges in their cities.
• 07.11.2024
• 17:00-18:30
• Voices from Cities - room C
MDBs are addressing global challenges like climate change and sustainable development. With cities both driving emissions and being vulnerable to climate impacts, the event will bring together governments, city networks, and the private sector to discuss how MDBs can improve collaboration and financing for urban climate action. The focus will be on enhancing MDB cooperation, increasing financing capacity, and mobilizing resources for sustainable, resilient cities
Launching of Africa’s Urbanization Dynamics 2024
• 08.11.2024
• 11:00-12:30
• SDGs in Action - room C
"Africa’s Urbanisation Dynamics 2024, Planning for Urban Expansion” is a joint publication by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development / Sahel and West Africa Club (OECD/SWAC), United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), and Cities Alliance that highlights the transformative impact of urbanisation across Africa in the 21st century.
The event will present key data, followed by a panel discussion on urban planning, governance, and finance. The goal is to raise awareness of the need for policy reforms to empower local governments and enhance their capacity to finance sustainable urban development.
The AfDB at the WUF12 Urban Expo
Participants at the Forum are also invited to visit the AfDB/UMDF booth the Urban Expo, to network with AfDB experts and learn more about AfDB’s and Urban and Municipal Development Fund actions.
The booth is located at Hall 4 entrance, near H04-D1 in the developments cluster.
At the booth, a series of institutional films will be shown, highlighting a selection of urban projects led by the Bank.
· Egypt: Sustainable development of the Abu Rawash Wastewater Treatment Plant
· Senegal: Relocation site for those impacted by Blaise Diagne International Airport
· Kenya: Affordable mortgages and access to homeownership with the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company
· Cities and transport on the frontline of climate change in Africa
As guests
See below the events in which AfDB experts have been invited as panelists
Breakfast event with Mayor Aki Sawyerr on Caring Cities (CHANGE)
• 05.11.2024
• 8:00 - 9:30
• Exhibition Hall, HD4-05
Panel discussion of the un-habitat arena event ‘planning and financing sustainable mobility and urban infrastructure
• 05.11.2024
• 16:30 - 17:30
• Hall 3, UN-Habitat Arena
Caucus meeting 3: unlocking financial opportunities to implement national urban policy
• 06.11.2024
• 8.00 - 9.00
• Multi- Purpose Room 21
Dialogue 4 “financing localization and localizing finance
• 06.11.2024
• 10.00 - 12.00
• Plenary room B
Financial mechanisms to support the transformation of urban agrifood systems
• 06.11.2024
• 13.00 - 14.30
• Multi- Purpose Room 21
• 06.11.2024
• 15.00 - 16.30
• Multi- Purpose Room 11
Yaounde roadmap in action: building sustainable habitats in Africa
• 07.11.2024
• 8.00 - 10:00
• Multi- Purpose Room 21
Empathy in motion
• 7.11.2024
• 13:30 - 15:30
• Plenary room B
Challenges of MDBs for supporting countries and cities on sub-national finance, including green climate finance
• 07.11.2024
• 17:00-18:30
• Voices from Cities - room C
La mobilisation des Ressources Financières Locales, une condition préalable à la réalisation des Objectifs de Développement Durable
• 08.11.2024
• 11:00 - 12:30
• Voices from Cities - room D