African Cities Are Diverse and Thriving, But Face Many Challenges

Abstract

Africa is undergoing rapid urbanization, reshaping the continent's social, economic, and public health landscape at an unprecedented scale. Drawing on the newly published book Urban Health in Africa, this article reframes African cities as diverse, dynamic, and resilient environments rather than sites of deficit alone. The piece synthesizes evidence on how urbanization intersects with health inequities, overburdened health systems, and the growing burden of both infectious and non-communicable diseases, particularly among residents of informal settlements who constitute the majority of urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa. It also highlights community-level innovation and adaptive capacity as underutilized assets in urban health responses. The article argues that building healthier African cities requires evidence-based urban planning, inclusive governance, and structural investments that address the social determinants of health. It calls on researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners to adopt community-centered, co-produced approaches as the foundation for equitable and sustainable urban futures on the continent.