Amid the growing challenges of urbanization, cities are increasingly positioned as key drivers of global efforts to combat climate change and advance sustainable development. Over the last two decades, Africa has been home to the fastest rate of urbanization in the developing world. This trend is anticipated to continue, with major African cities accommodating up to 85% of the continent’s population by next year. Socio-economic, cultural and environmental perspectives change when a large part of the population moves from rural to urban areas. Any effort at economic growth, human development or environmental protection in Africa must engage citizens living within these rapidly expanding cities and towns.
Despite still having a relatively large rural population, Egypt has been no exception to the trend of urbanization across the African continent. With an urban growth rate that has consistently hovered around 2% per year, cities across the country have had to absorb upwards of a million new inhabitants annually. This places increased pressure on infrastructure, vital resources such as water, and the environment.
The Regional conference of the Urban Transitions Mission Center (UTMC), held in Cairo on November 7, 2024, alongside the World Urban Forum (WUF), provided a significant platform for global stakeholders to exchange ideas, share solutions, and deepen collaborations to accelerate urban transitions globally.
Elli Tzatzanis-Stepanovic, UTMC coordinator at FFG, emphasized the platform’s transformative potential, noting that its success hinges on the active participation of its users. “The platform’s value grows when stakeholders engage with it, sharing their experiences and solutions to make it a continuously evolving and indispensable resource for cities worldwide.”
The UTMC project plays a vital role in supporting the Urban Transition Mission by equipping cities with tools to fast-track their journey toward climate-neutral and resilient urban systems. Central to this initiative is the UTMC platform, a dynamic hub designed to enable stakeholders to exchange knowledge, access critical resources, and implement innovative solutions for urban development. The platform’s unique strength lies in its collaborative model: stakeholders not only gain access to valuable resources but also enrich the platform by contributing their expertise, tools, and insights.
Laura Hetel, representing the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, reinforced the importance of collaboration as the foundation of the Urban Transition Mission. “This mission is not about imposing solutions but co-creating them,” she stated. Hetel highlighted the reciprocal value of the initiative, where cities across regions share localized knowledge and innovations to collectively address global challenges. Her message emphasized the importance of actionable progress, even if it begins incrementally. “Even if we don’t achieve 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030, having 1, 2, or 3 will provide a model for others to follow. It’s about setting bold ambitions and taking meaningful steps toward achieving them.”
About one hundred cities worldwide have joined the Urban Transitions Mission (UTM), with the goals of accelerating their urban transitions across sectors and building support and cooperation across all levels of government and with citizens.
Currently, six Africa cities; Accra, Ghana; Casablanca and Chefchaouen, Morocco; Cocody-Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Quelimane, Mozambique; and Walvis Bay, Namibia are members of the UTM city cohort, actively taking meaningful steps towards achieving net zero, and building resilient, people-centred urban environments.
The event spotlighted African cities as pivotal contributors to global urban solutions. The city of Cocody-Abidjan, Ivory Coast, showcased its innovative use of biogas technology to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional practices while preserving cultural heritage. Walvis Bay, Namibia, presented the Green Valley housing project, a groundbreaking initiative that integrates green hydrogen and solar energy to create affordable, climate-resilient housing. The city of Accra, Ghana, emphasized its strategies for managing rapid urbanization through innovative waste management and inclusive urban planning, demonstrating the leadership of African cities in advancing sustainable solutions.
A central theme of the event was addressing the financial barriers cities face in implementing ambitious projects. The Funding Dialogue session explored innovative financing mechanisms, including blended financing models that combine public and private contributions. The UTMC platform’s funding tools were showcased as a valuable resource, offering tailored access to global funding databases. Stakeholders stressed the importance of building local capacity to navigate complex financial landscapes and align urban projects with available funding opportunities.
The afternoon session focused on international cooperation as a transformative force in urban transitions. Discussions highlighted the integration of diverse forms of knowledge—scientific, indigenous, and traditional—into policy and urban planning to create inclusive, effective solutions. Arthur Serra, Director at i2CAT and Council Member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), shared successful examples from Tunisia, Senegal and South Africa, where living labs foster collaborative approaches to address challenges across urban and rural contexts.
In Kenya, the constitutional mandate for citizen participation in urban planning was presented as a model for inclusive governance. Similar collaborative action plans in Senegal and Nigeria were highlighted as effective in fostering synergies between local governments, communities, and international partners. The discussion concluded with a call for sustained international cooperation, underscoring the role of the UTMC platform as a global hub for sharing ideas, resources, and best practices to drive urban transformation.
The last session on international collaboration was exploring strategic urban development initiatives and their contribution to the long-term vision of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities across Africa. The need for increased international collaboration among policymakers, academia, businesses, and civil society was highlighted. The urgency to include the finance sector and foster green finance was another important aspect that was raised!
The event closed with a collective call to action, reaffirming the need for active engagement and collaboration. Stakeholders were encouraged to contribute to the UTMC platform, ensuring it remains a dynamic and evolving resource for cities worldwide. As emphasized throughout the discussions, urban transitions require bold ambitions, innovative financing, and collective commitment to create sustainable and resilient urban futures.
