The World Bank is investing in the development of Africa's cities to overcome the lack of access to housing, services, and jobs.  In the report: "Africa's Cities: Opening Doors to the World" [featured below], addressing the crowded informal settlements and little infrastructure is seen through the improvement of safe water, sanitation and hygiene.  With a population of 1 billion predicted by 2040 and housing that currently costs 55% more than in other regions of the world, senior economist and co-author of the report states the situations is "dangerous".

Overcrowding as a result of the rapid urbanisation with the high cost of housing, causes a disconnect that interrupts business so vital infrastructure is urgently needed.  It is suggested that "the poverty in African cities has more to do with their lack of openness to the world than with population growth and a lack of investment".  However, "unregulated construction" has exacerbated problems.  This is a grave process of development and a pattern the World Bank is trying to turn around in Mali (for example) with its Urban Local Government Support Project that focusses on performance, capacity building and restructuring. 

For more information please see: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/25896.

Denise Reghenzani-Kearns, PASCAL Associate