World Bank warns Africa's fast-growing cities risk missing out on jobs

New city dwellers by 2050

748 million more urban residents

Sub-Saharan Africa's urban population is projected to add 748 million people over the next 25 years, reaching 1.7 billion by 2050.

Despite rapid urban growth since 1950, average GDP per capita has stayed near US$4,400, and the region needs about 15 million new jobs a year.

Three challenges

• Big cities: transport and land rules
• City edges: unplanned growth
• Small towns: overlooked potential

The report names three problems: weak transport and tight land rules in big cities, unplanned growth on their edges, and overlooked smaller towns.

What it recommends

The bank recommends mass transit, affordable housing near jobs, and wider property tax collection to pay for city services.