The second Africa Urban Forum has opened in Nairobi, bringing together policymakers, urban planners and development partners with a renewed call to accelerate the transformation of rapidly growing cities across the continent.

The three-day forum, hosted by the Government of Kenya in partnership with the African Union Commission, has drawn nearly 10,000 participants both physically and virtually, including ministers, city mayors, industry leaders, civil society actors and academics.

Held under the theme “Adequate Housing for All: Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation toward the Realization of Agenda 2063,” the gathering is expected to shape new strategies for managing Africa’s fast-paced urbanisation.

Speaking at the opening, Musalia Mudavadi warned that Africa’s urban population is projected to double from about 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, a shift he said will fundamentally redefine the continent’s economic structure, social systems and development trajectory.

He stressed that the pace of urban growth presents both an opportunity and a challenge, requiring coordinated planning to ensure cities remain resilient, inclusive and economically productive.

The forum builds on discussions from its inaugural edition held in Addis Ababa in 2024, which laid the groundwork for a continent-wide dialogue on addressing urban challenges such as housing shortages, rising poverty, insecurity and climate-related risks.

Also speaking, Patience Zanelie Chiradza emphasised that well-planned cities capable of delivering essential services — including housing, clean water, sanitation and sustainable transport — are central to achieving Africa’s long-term development ambitions.

Similarly, Alice Wahome called on governments to scale up investments in affordable housing, climate resilience, circular economy practices and clean mobility systems as part of efforts to reimagine urban spaces across the continent.

Stakeholders at the forum are expected to outline practical pathways for strengthening urban governance, boosting infrastructure delivery and unlocking financing to meet the demands of Africa’s rapidly expanding cities.

Analysts say the outcomes of the forum could play a crucial role in shaping policy direction as countries seek sustainable solutions to the continent’s growing housing deficit and urban infrastructure gaps.

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A multi-storey building under construction collapsed on Friday morning in the Shopping Centre area of Nairobi’s South C estate, triggering panic among residents and passersby.

Emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene as thick dust and debris filled the area, forcing nearby residents and business owners to flee. As of the time of reporting, authorities had not confirmed whether anyone was trapped or injured in the incident.

The Kenya Red Cross said a multi-agency response team, including the National Disaster Management Unit, Nairobi City County officials and the National Police Service, had cordoned off the area to conduct search-and-rescue operations and secure the site.

Neither the county government, the national government nor the National Construction Authority (NCA) had issued an official statement on the cause of the collapse.

The incident comes weeks after the NCA warned of structural risks at another high-rise under construction in Nairobi, highlighting growing concerns over safety compliance at building sites across the city.

In recent months, Nairobi has recorded several construction-related collapses, particularly in high-density areas, raising renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building standards and safety regulations.

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Convened under the mandate of Resolution 2/7 on adequate housing for all adopted during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2023, the session brought together over 200 participants, including ministers, ambassadors, and housing experts, to discuss practical solutions to the global housing crisis.

A unified call for action

“It is not possible to transform informal settlements without addressing the challenges of adequate housing together,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

Throughout the session, participants stressed that adequate housing must be part of a broader strategy that includes urban planning, infrastructure, social services, and economic opportunities. They noted that addressing informal settlements and tenure insecurity requires a collective, comprehensive response that goes beyond housing alone.

Edna Elena Vega Rangel, President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, also highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“It is very encouraging to see so many experts from around the world who have come together to join this discussion on adequate housing,” she said.

Her remarks reinforced the session’s focus on global partnerships, with participants highlighting the need for international cooperation and the sharing of best practices to solve the housing crisis.

Key outcomes: collaborative solutions for housing

The session highlighted several takeaways for accelerating progress on adequate housing:

• Integrated housing policies: Participants emphasised the need to align housing strategies with broader urban development goals. They agreed that policies should address not only housing but also urban planning, informal settlements, tenure insecurity, and social equity, ensuring that housing is part of a comprehensive approach to urbanisation, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
• Innovative financing: A strong focus was placed on scaling up innovative financing models, such as rent-to-own schemes and public-private partnerships. Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme was cited as an example, demonstrating how governments can incentivise low-cost, equitable housing while ensuring sustainability and long-term affordability.
• Data-driven solutions: Experts stressed the importance of robust data systems to guide decision-making, identify housing gaps, and monitor progress.
• Partnerships for action: The session underscored the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector. Participants highlighted the role of South-South cooperation and knowledge-sharing, which are key to scaling up successful housing solutions globally and ensuring that they are inclusive and sustainable.

Learning from Mukuru: Kenya’s affordable housing initiative

A major highlight of the session was a field visit to the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project (AHP) in Nairobi, Kenya. Delegates had the opportunity to see firsthand how the project is transforming one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements.

Mukuru, home to over 100,000 people, is part of Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, aimed at addressing the country’s significant housing gap. The Mukuru AHP features over 13,000 housing units offered under a rent-to-own model, making homeownership accessible to low-income residents.

Delegates toured the site and discussed the innovative financing model and use of an online platform to ensure equitable access to housing. The Mukuru AHP provided an example for other countries seeking to combine affordability, inclusivity, and sustainability in housing delivery.

What lies ahead?

Looking forward, the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group will build on the outcomes of the session to develop recommendations for the next United Nations Habitat Assembly. These recommendations will aim to accelerate progress toward achieving adequate housing for all by 2030.

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