Background

Africa’s urban population is projected to double by 2050, with cities in West and Central Africa such as Lagos and Kinshasa among the fastest-growing globally. This rapid expansion often outpaces infrastructure development and planning, leaving over 60% of urban dwellers in sub-Saharan Africa living in informal settlements. These conditions significantly heighten vulnerability to climate-related disasters like floods, droughts, and extreme heat.

West and Central Africa face these challenges acutely, compounded by poverty, conflict, and governance gaps. Addressing them requires urgent, coordinated action. This webinar will serve as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and partnership-building to advance scalable, context-specific solutions that protect urban lives and livelihoods. With over 400 million people expected to live in the region’s cities by 2050, there is no time to waste in shaping a resilient and sustainable future.

This webinar is organized by the West Africa Capitals Coalition Hub (WACCH), a collaborative network dedicated to advancing sustainable development and climate action across West African capitals, convened by the Natural Eco Capital, and in collaboration with the Regional Collaboration Centre for West and Central Africa (RCC WACA).

Objectives

The objectives of this webinar are the following:

• Discuss key challenges facing urban development in West and Central Africa, including climate adaptation, infrastructure, and social equity.
• Highlight successful case studies and best practices in sustainable city planning.
• Foster collaboration among stakeholders to drive action-oriented solutions.
• Explore innovative approaches, including smart cities and sustainable financing models.

Target Audience

• Urban planners and city administrators

• Private sector and development partners

• Environmental and climate experts

• Policymakers and government officials

• Academics and researchers

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened regional discourse on urban resilience

• Practical strategies for sustainable urban development

• Enhanced collaboration among experts, policymakers, and stakeholders