Housing as a catalyst for Africa’s resilient and inclusive urban transformation

This paper argues that delivering adequate housing at scale will depend on recognising local governments as central actors in shaping Africa’s urban future. Municipalities sit at the forefront of planning, service delivery and implementation, and are best placed to respond to local needs with context-specific housing and settlement solutions, crafted and implemented through a “social compact” modality. They also have a vital coordinating role to play in aligning land, infrastructure, and finance with communities, civil society and developers.

African Urban Forum 2 presents an opportunity to advance a stronger policy agenda centred on empowered local governance in housing delivery. This paper identifies pathways to strengthen locally led solutions, expand innovative financing partnerships, embed resilience in housing systems and reframe approaches to informality, grounded in the realities of African cities.