A recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit predicts that by 2035, Africa will boast six megacities, each with populations exceeding 10 million, driven by the continent’s rapidly growing young population.
Luanda and Dar es Salaam are set to join Cairo, Kinshasa, Lagos, and Greater Johannesburg as megacities, according to the report. These cities will be part of a broader trend, with over half of Africa’s population expected to reside in urban areas by 2035, making Africa the world’s fastest urbanizing region.
While this urban expansion promises economic growth and new business opportunities, it also presents significant challenges, including overcrowding, the rise of informal settlements, unemployment, and the pressure on public services. The report also forecasts that Africa’s urban population will nearly reach 1 billion by 2035, with East Africa leading in urban growth, followed by Central and West Africa.
Additionally, the report highlights the emergence of several megalopolises, particularly one extending along West Africa’s coast, starting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and stretching to Lagos, Nigeria.
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