World Bank Urges Sub‑Saharan African Nations to Convert Rapid Urbanization into Jobs

On 30 October 2026, in the African capital of Abidjan, the World Bank issued a call to sub‑Saharan African governments to transform the region’s rapid urbanization into a source of economic growth and employment for its young population.

The bank’s report, issued during a brief press briefing, cited that the region’s urban population has surged from 170 million in 1975 to 913 million in 2025, and that the growing number of cities could rise to a total of 1.7 billion residents by 2050. It added that about 15 million youths join the labour market each year, raising the urgency for job creation.

Wearing the title “Africa’s Urban Awakening: Catalyzing Economic Growth and Job Creation,” the World Bank document urges national governments to view cities as engines of growth rather than merely places of congestion. The report stresses that “productivity gains remain limited, incomes have grown slowly, and too many jobs remain informal and poorly paid,” according to Marie‑Chantal Uwanyiligira, the World Bank’s division director for Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea and Togo.

“Productivity gains remain limited, incomes have grown slowly, and too many jobs remain informal and poorly paid,” Uwanyiligira said.

She cited official data from Cote d’Ivoire that showed 17.84 million of the country’s 32.8 million people lived in urban centres last year. The report also noted that the number of cities with more than 100 000 residents in the country grew from eight in 1998 to 17 in 2021, indicating steady urban expansion.

In Cote d’Ivoire, the government has answered the call by promoting a national development plan that spans 2026 to 2030. The plan places priority on urban development, improving mobility networks, and raising living standards for city dwellers.

Across the region, the World Bank recommends several policy measures. First, it calls for better planning of urban expansion, insisting that governments map out where new communities will grow and how they will be supplied with essential services. Second, it urges targeted investment in infrastructure and transport, arguing that efficient road, rail, and public‑transport systems are critical to supporting the economy of expanding cities.

Moreover, the report highlights the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and land governance. By creating clear rules for land ownership and use, the World Bank believes cities can attract responsible investment and avoid informal settlements that undermine productivity.

A key point of the bank’s analysis is the mobilization of private capital. Although public funds will play an important role, private-sector participation is essential to meet the infrastructure and service demands of newly urbanized populations. The World Bank urges governments to create incentives, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and strengthen legal safeguards to encourage foreign and local investors to finance urban facilities and services.

The call to action arrives as sub‑Saharan African cities face mounting challenges, from housing shortages to strained water and energy supplies. Yet the World Bank frames urban growth as a catalyst for development, claiming that well‑planned cities can create better‑paying jobs, spur innovation, and elevate the standard of living for millions.

While the bank’s recommendations are broad, they share a common theme: that the future of Africa’s prosperity hinges on how its cities manage rapid population growth, especially with the influx of young workers who seek employment opportunities. The World Bank’s report is a clarion call to country leaders, urban planners, and investors to align resources, policies, and private capital toward inclusive and productive urban economies.