The 9th Africities Summit started in earnest on Tuesday 17th May 2022. Here is a look at some of the key takeaways from day one of the Africities Summit.
“Africa is becoming increasingly urbanized. The traditional rural focus within development plans risks marginalizing the growing section of our population, one which will soon be the majority.” Uhuru Kenyatta.
Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of The Republic of Kenya, in his address at the 9th Africities Summit in Kisumu, Kenya called for a paradigm shift in development planning. This could see Africa reassign resources from rural to developing and growing cities.
“The reason why Africa trades very little within itself is because of a lack of infrastructure. Infrastructure is what will make or break the continental free-trade area” Raila Odinga.
Raila Odinga, Africa’s high representative for infrastructure urges Africa to focus on infrastructural connectivity. This includes roads, rail, airways, and waterways. This plan is backed by deliberate effort to construct about 20 new seaports and airports apiece in the continent. Increased connectivity, if backed by security will open Africa up for increased trade.
“The recent review of the new urban agenda provided insights on the approach into what sustainable development and urbanization into what Africa could look like. We need to take advantage of it.” Amina J Mohammed.
Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations sees Africa, not as it is, but as it could be. It is the vision of the Africa we want; the cities and their attendant opportunities and how we can capitalize on those opportunities for greater gains of Africa as envisioned in the 9th Africities Summit.
“In intermediary cities like Kisumu, there is a lot of evidence regarding devolution and opportunities to address inequalities. Countries like South Africa have devolved key functions to cities.” Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, The Governor of Kisumu County observes, and rightly so, that devolution works wonders in cities like Kisumu. It is apt for Africities Summit that looks at the role of intermediary cities. Taking Kenya as a case study, devolution has seen the strengthening and better management of cities, urban and peri-urban areas. Africa has plenty of cities that provide a great template for city management and devolution highlights this fact succinctly.
“This high presidential attention sends a strong signal to local African and international economic and institutional operators to participate in this flagship territorial Africa event.” Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi.
Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, the Secretary General of UCLG-Africa refers to the high stakes the Africities Summit holds in the African continent. Basically, his rallying call is that we, the people of Africa, should participate in this 9th Africities Summit because of its import and gravity. This is an open invitation to body corporates and institutions to join the greatest networking democratic event in the African soil.
“We must focus on our collaboration in Africa and the world to catalyze sustainable development.” Christine Mba Ndutune.
As Christine Mba Ndutune, the president of UCLG-Africa urges collaborative effort in pulling Africa and the world ahead, let us appreciate the power of synergy. Let it not be lost on us that synergy, when attained and sustained by harmony, breaks all barriers and opens possibilities that up till then existed only in wild imaginations.
“Human choices have caused climate crisis. Human choices can put us on the right track. From strengthening green buildings in Cape Town to building water resilience in Addis and Kigali, you have shown what is necessary and possible” John Kerry.
John Kerry, US Special Envoy on Climate, captured the ingenuity that is addressing climate change issues in Africa in the most practical of ways. It is these kind of successes that are better duplicated all over the continent for sustainable climate friendly development
“I have the great honor of being the Africities Goodwill ambassador this year. Kisumu County is my ancestral home and I have witnessed its potential firsthand. It has so much to offer I can finally see its vibrant energy being tapped with the radical leadership of its current governor, my father, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o. Well, I am biased. You will see it for yourself. I am so honored to stand by his side now as he hosts this summit as he has so often stood by mine.” Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o, Goodwill Ambassador of the 9th Africities Summit acknowledged Kisumu city’s potential for growth and the progress that has been made so far. Her bond with her father, Anyang’ Nyong’o Governor Kisumu County, points to the great things that can be achieved when people are united not only by blood but by purpose as well. For the goal of the 9th Africities summit to be achieved, unity is a must.
“When a young child born this year celebrates her 18th birthday, She will join Africa in building an urban future. More likely than not, she will be in an intermediary city. By 2050, 50% of all Africans will live in urban areas. He will be among the additional 1.4 billion that will be born or migrate to urban settlements. More than 64% of urban dwellers live in informal settlements. There is a deficit in housing financing. It will be a major battle to get a job, buy a house and start a family. This is the urban future she will have if we do nothing to change the urban agenda in Africa.” Maimunah Mohd Sharif
Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) expressed the importance of changing the urban agenda in Africa for the future is urban.
