African Ministerial Session on National Urban Policy

Urban Policy 8 June 2023

African Ministerial Session on National Urban Policy

UNHA2, Nairobi   |   8th June 2023

Urbanization in Africa is progressing rapidly. With an urban growth rate of 3.4 per cent, currently, 44 per cent of the region’s population resides in urban areas. By 2035, the region will have half of its population living in cities and will be predominantly urban by 2050 with six in ten persons living in urban areas. National Urban Policies (NUP) provide an effective opportunity capitalize on the potential of urbanization as well as mitigate its negative externalities in Africa. It’s not only an integrated development tool to create common vision for urbanization but also an overarching framework that supports implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA)

Against this backdrop, African Ministers and other high-level government representatives joined other diverse participants on 8^th June 2023, in a session on urban policies in Africa.

Held along the sidelines of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, the session offered a unique opportunity to share experiences on how National Urban Policies are providing the required coordination mechanism needed to promote equitable urban development in Africa.

Participants underscored their experiences on using Urban Policy to unlock financing opportunities, enhance local economic growth and ensure equitable quality of life for all while protecting the environment.

The session featured several speakers who shared a wealth of knowledge and experiences in NUP development and implementation, both at the country level and from the development partners’ view.

Concept Note

Michal Mlynar – UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director had some key points from his remarks:

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National urban policies are critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and the New Urban Agenda.

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UN-Habitat has been supporting urban policy processes in Africa through global and regional programs, collaborating with various countries including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Zambia, and others.

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The implementation of national urban policies is essential to have a tangible impact on the ground and address the needs of the people.

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Governments need to invest in sustainable financing mechanisms and robust urban-scale data to help design and implement urban policies that address place based concerns and deliver better lives for all in an urbanizing world.

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Countries need to develop national urban policies that support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements, effectively implementing and monitoring global agreements.

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While African governments recognize the value of national urban policies, only 28 countries in Africa had explicit policies at the time of the UN Habitat survey in 2021.

Oumar Sylla: Director, Regional Office for Africa, shared his thoughts on National Urban Policies (NUPs) in Africa, where he mentioned:

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By 2030, Africa will experience an urban transition with a significant increase in urban population.

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Human capital is the most important resource, and cities should be utilized as engines for economic development.

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Collaboration, mutual learning, and consensus-building are crucial for addressing urban challenges effectively.

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A multi-level approach involving regional, national, and local dynamics is needed to tackle urbanization issues in Africa.

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Previous challenges due to lack of planning highlight the need to deviate from business as usual in addressing urbanization.

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The focus should be on the entire system of cities rather than individual cities alone.

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The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFTA) offers opportunities for trade connectivity and economic integration.

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National Urban Policies (NUPs) can serve as frameworks for promoting good governance, sustainability, and attracting investment.

Remy Sietchiping: Chief, Policy, Legislation and Governance Section, UN-Habitat, made a presentation on an Outlook of Africa in Relation to NUP as from the survey done in 2020 as follows:

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NUPs are officially part of the SDG indicator framework (SDG 11.a.1), presenting an opportunity for African governments to accelerate their development, andreport on SDG implementation.

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Globally, UN-Habitat supports urban policy through various programs, including 58 NUP processes in different countries, with specific support in Africa.

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African countries should align NUP targets and indicators with SDGs, invest in sustainable financing mechanisms, and utilize urban-scale data for effective policy implementation.

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It is important for countries to emphasize the economic development aspect, ensure coherence between climate and urban policies, and recognize countries implementing SDG targets.

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Implementation should also occur at all levels with fiscal support.

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Some governments use NUPs to monitor and implement SDGs, the New Urban Agenda, and the Paris Climate Agreement.