The Hard Hat Professional

Urgent action is required for African nations to prepare metropolitan areas for an unprecedented surge in population. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the continent's capacity to plan for rapid urbanization will shape its economic trajectory for generations. However, recent events have hindered progress, making it imperative to address this situation promptly. According to Craig Weitz, principal of Africa Infrastructure Finance at Nedbank, in recent years, Africa's progress in planning for rapid urbanization has been hindered by a series of events. Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many governments to redirect their infrastructure budgets to address the health and social costs of caring for citizens. Secondly, the prolonged recovery from the pandemic, coupled with the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global economies, further strained fiscal resources. High-interest rates have made borrowing expensive and weakened local currencies. The United Nations (UN