Governments and stakeholders across Africa have been urged to prioritise the continent’s urban transition, as it is no longer a future scenario but a political reality that requires leadership, vision, and decisive action.
Representing the African Union Commission at the second edition of the Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) in Nairobi, Patience Chiradza, Director for Governance and Conflict Prevention, underscored that urbanisation is not only shaping governance, economic transformation, and social stability, but also peace and security across our continent.
The theme of this year’s forum was “Adequate Housing for All: Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realisation of Agenda 2063,” an agenda Chirdza says is fundamentally a political and governance one.
“To the African Union Commission, Housing is not only about shelter, but also about dignity, equity, stability, and about peace. Where people are excluded from housing and basic services, frustration grows; Where inequalities widen in cities, tensions emerge, and where Governance fails to respond to urban realities, instability follows,” Chiradza remarked. “This is why urban development must be seen as part of Africa’s peace and security architecture.”
According to the AUC, Africa’s cities are increasingly becoming the frontline of governance and conflict prevention, highlighting that urban infrastructure, land management, housing systems, and service delivery directly influence political stability and citizen trust in the state.
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She called upon African governments to pay attention to the fact that conflict, climate change, and economic pressures are driving populations into cities, placing enormous pressure on infrastructure, housing, and services.
“Urban displacement and migration present a growing political and security challenge. Cities are becoming spaces where humanitarian, governance, and security challenges intersect, and if not well managed, urban displacement can lead to social tensions, inequality, and instability. If well managed, cities can become spaces of integration, opportunity, and peace.”
She assured that the African Union Commission remains committed to working with Member States, Local & Regional Governments, and partners to ensure that Africa’s cities become engines of peace, resilience, and prosperity.
“Let us use this Forum to strengthen political commitment, deepen cooperation, and accelerate action.”
