NYAMATA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is engaged in a new regional effort spearheaded by UNDP Africa, in collaboration with the UN-Habitat, to chart the structure of a new inclusive policy paper on the development response to urbanization in Africa.
From 2-4 November, in Nyamata, Rwanda, the Expert Group Meeting will be looking at various entry points for supporting the transformation of urban centres for sustainable development in in Africa.
The aim of the meeting is to provide cutting edge ideas and thinking based on the participants’ expertise as to inform the new urban environment in Africa.
Urbanization in Africa has failed to bring about inclusive growth which, in turn, has resulted in proliferation of slums, urban poverty and rising inequality. Rural-urban migration and natural population growth rates in cities are the major causes of the increasing rate of urban growth and slum proliferation in Africa.
“90% of those who move do so for work reasons”, stated Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, ILO Chief of the Regional Programing Unit for Africa. “67% of migrants stay in sub-Saharan Africa”, she added.
The urban migration patterns underline the fact that urban areas in Africa are becoming drivers of socioeconomic transformation by virtue of their unique characteristics. They offer significant opportunities for the creation of prosperity, which in turn can be used for national development and poverty reduction.
