Africa in Fact Issue 45
Running out of road

Running out of road

Lagos is arguably the most challenging Nigerian state to run, but it is also the most attractive in which to run for governor “Wherever you are in this country, in fact on this continent, there’s no place like Lagos,”...

Sidelined by policymakers

Sidelined by policymakers

The ANC and previous regimes have all seen rural areas as more deserving of attention and resources than cities, making it nearly impossible to talk seriously about urban policy Since the end of apartheid a central...

Where justice is measured in dollars

Where justice is measured in dollars

Kinshasa is set to become one of Africa’s largest megacities by 2030, but its land governance is in need of major reform Antoine* bought a plot of land in Kimbanseke, on the outskirts of Kinshasa, nearly 12 years ago....

Turning challenges into opportunities

Turning challenges into opportunities

African city governments face complex challenges, but they have many good governance tools at their disposal Cities are a recent phenomenon in Africa. In 1950, there was not a single city with a population of over one...

Living on the periphery

Living on the periphery

The African middle class isn’t strong enough to drive the economic development required to cope with the influx of new urban dwellers Obed Ndhlovu laughed a hearty chuckle that was tinged with bemusement. A rat had...