African Cities Research Consortium
@africancities.bsky.social
Generating new insights and approaches to tackle complex problems in Africa’s rapidly changing cities.
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» collaboration » evidence » innovation » progress
💻 https://www.african-cities.org
📩 bit.ly/ACRCnews
🎧 https://africancities.buzzsprout.com/
🎙️What opportunities exist for strengthening food systems in Lagos?
This is the focus of our latest podcast conversation between Ismail Ibraheem, Taibat Lawanson, Folasade Adeboyejo and Deji Akinpelu.
This is the focus of our latest podcast conversation between Ismail Ibraheem, Taibat Lawanson, Folasade Adeboyejo and Deji Akinpelu.
October 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
🎙️What opportunities exist for strengthening food systems in Lagos?
This is the focus of our latest podcast conversation between Ismail Ibraheem, Taibat Lawanson, Folasade Adeboyejo and Deji Akinpelu.
This is the focus of our latest podcast conversation between Ismail Ibraheem, Taibat Lawanson, Folasade Adeboyejo and Deji Akinpelu.
NEW | Lagos: City report
Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities globally, with a population of between 18 and 20 million and an annual growth rate of 6%.
Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities globally, with a population of between 18 and 20 million and an annual growth rate of 6%.
September 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
NEW | Lagos: City report
Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities globally, with a population of between 18 and 20 million and an annual growth rate of 6%.
Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities globally, with a population of between 18 and 20 million and an annual growth rate of 6%.
NEW | Addis Ababa: City report
Home to a population of more than 4 million, Addis Ababa is expanding at a rate of 3.8% per year.
A new ACRC report uncovers the interplay of politics, systems and urban development in the fast-growing capital city.
Home to a population of more than 4 million, Addis Ababa is expanding at a rate of 3.8% per year.
A new ACRC report uncovers the interplay of politics, systems and urban development in the fast-growing capital city.
August 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
NEW | Addis Ababa: City report
Home to a population of more than 4 million, Addis Ababa is expanding at a rate of 3.8% per year.
A new ACRC report uncovers the interplay of politics, systems and urban development in the fast-growing capital city.
Home to a population of more than 4 million, Addis Ababa is expanding at a rate of 3.8% per year.
A new ACRC report uncovers the interplay of politics, systems and urban development in the fast-growing capital city.
NEW | Creating the conditions for change in Mathare informal settlement
Like many large informal settlements, Mathare in Nairobi faces many challenges, including the poor management of waste, leading to severe health, environmental and infrastructural consequences.
Like many large informal settlements, Mathare in Nairobi faces many challenges, including the poor management of waste, leading to severe health, environmental and infrastructural consequences.
July 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
NEW | Creating the conditions for change in Mathare informal settlement
Like many large informal settlements, Mathare in Nairobi faces many challenges, including the poor management of waste, leading to severe health, environmental and infrastructural consequences.
Like many large informal settlements, Mathare in Nairobi faces many challenges, including the poor management of waste, leading to severe health, environmental and infrastructural consequences.
NEW | How does action research build community and state capabilities?
The fourth blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores how ACRC is helping build community capabilities to address urban challenges, via engaged and focused real-time learning.
The fourth blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores how ACRC is helping build community capabilities to address urban challenges, via engaged and focused real-time learning.
July 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW | How does action research build community and state capabilities?
The fourth blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores how ACRC is helping build community capabilities to address urban challenges, via engaged and focused real-time learning.
The fourth blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores how ACRC is helping build community capabilities to address urban challenges, via engaged and focused real-time learning.
The Mukuru Special Planning Area in Nairobi is home to a population of about 400,000.
Around 100,560 households occupy 689 acres of land, with the settlement mainly comprising temporary structures made of corrugated iron, and many families residing in 9m² single-room dwellings.
Around 100,560 households occupy 689 acres of land, with the settlement mainly comprising temporary structures made of corrugated iron, and many families residing in 9m² single-room dwellings.
June 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The Mukuru Special Planning Area in Nairobi is home to a population of about 400,000.
Around 100,560 households occupy 689 acres of land, with the settlement mainly comprising temporary structures made of corrugated iron, and many families residing in 9m² single-room dwellings.
Around 100,560 households occupy 689 acres of land, with the settlement mainly comprising temporary structures made of corrugated iron, and many families residing in 9m² single-room dwellings.
NEW | How is ACRC designed to drive urban reform?
The third blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores the rationale behind how ACRC has been set up and how it aims to add value to reform efforts in African cities.
The third blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores the rationale behind how ACRC has been set up and how it aims to add value to reform efforts in African cities.
May 20, 2025 at 9:03 AM
NEW | How is ACRC designed to drive urban reform?
The third blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores the rationale behind how ACRC has been set up and how it aims to add value to reform efforts in African cities.
The third blog post in our urban transformation series from Diana Mitlin explores the rationale behind how ACRC has been set up and how it aims to add value to reform efforts in African cities.
Trust is central to ACRC's ability to operate effectively and is particularly relevant across three key dimensions:
1️⃣ in people + processes to deliver
2️⃣ in ACRC to provide resources
3️⃣ in political elites to engage
1️⃣ in people + processes to deliver
2️⃣ in ACRC to provide resources
3️⃣ in political elites to engage
May 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Trust is central to ACRC's ability to operate effectively and is particularly relevant across three key dimensions:
1️⃣ in people + processes to deliver
2️⃣ in ACRC to provide resources
3️⃣ in political elites to engage
1️⃣ in people + processes to deliver
2️⃣ in ACRC to provide resources
3️⃣ in political elites to engage
NEW | Urban transformation and the trust triad
The next post in our urban transformations blog series from Diana Mitlin focuses on the centrality of trust in politically engaged development programmes.
The next post in our urban transformations blog series from Diana Mitlin focuses on the centrality of trust in politically engaged development programmes.
May 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW | Urban transformation and the trust triad
The next post in our urban transformations blog series from Diana Mitlin focuses on the centrality of trust in politically engaged development programmes.
The next post in our urban transformations blog series from Diana Mitlin focuses on the centrality of trust in politically engaged development programmes.
Diana also explores where ACRC's emphasis differs, highlighting the need for more attention on the contribution of local actors to reform efforts, on the alignment between these actors and the funding conduit, and on how aid can be used to catalyse political opportunities for reform.
May 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Diana also explores where ACRC's emphasis differs, highlighting the need for more attention on the contribution of local actors to reform efforts, on the alignment between these actors and the funding conduit, and on how aid can be used to catalyse political opportunities for reform.
Building on a recent report by Gareth Williams, director of @thepolicypractice.bsky.social, Diana notes that many of the building blocks of issue-based programming are well aligned to ACRC's approach – including the need for aid-financed interventions to be low cost, well-designed and locally led.
May 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Building on a recent report by Gareth Williams, director of @thepolicypractice.bsky.social, Diana notes that many of the building blocks of issue-based programming are well aligned to ACRC's approach – including the need for aid-financed interventions to be low cost, well-designed and locally led.
NEW | Issue-based programming and the parallel tracks of urban reform
We launched our new blog miniseries from Diana Mitlin today, focusing on how urban reform happens and where ACRC fits into change processes – beginning with a post outlining how our approach links to issue-based programming.
We launched our new blog miniseries from Diana Mitlin today, focusing on how urban reform happens and where ACRC fits into change processes – beginning with a post outlining how our approach links to issue-based programming.
May 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
NEW | Issue-based programming and the parallel tracks of urban reform
We launched our new blog miniseries from Diana Mitlin today, focusing on how urban reform happens and where ACRC fits into change processes – beginning with a post outlining how our approach links to issue-based programming.
We launched our new blog miniseries from Diana Mitlin today, focusing on how urban reform happens and where ACRC fits into change processes – beginning with a post outlining how our approach links to issue-based programming.
NEW | Gender: Crosscutting report
Across African cities, young people experience specific barriers to accessing livelihoods. This not only constrains their agency and ability to fulfil aspirations, but creates environments in which they both perpetrate and experience violence.
Across African cities, young people experience specific barriers to accessing livelihoods. This not only constrains their agency and ability to fulfil aspirations, but creates environments in which they both perpetrate and experience violence.
April 28, 2025 at 3:58 PM
NEW | Gender: Crosscutting report
Across African cities, young people experience specific barriers to accessing livelihoods. This not only constrains their agency and ability to fulfil aspirations, but creates environments in which they both perpetrate and experience violence.
Across African cities, young people experience specific barriers to accessing livelihoods. This not only constrains their agency and ability to fulfil aspirations, but creates environments in which they both perpetrate and experience violence.
NEW | The contribution of urban reform coalitions to inclusive and equitable cities
A new special issue of Environment & Urbanization, edited by @ezanahw.bsky.social and Diana Mitlin, explores how urban reformers come together to advance inclusive urban futures.
A new special issue of Environment & Urbanization, edited by @ezanahw.bsky.social and Diana Mitlin, explores how urban reformers come together to advance inclusive urban futures.
April 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
NEW | The contribution of urban reform coalitions to inclusive and equitable cities
A new special issue of Environment & Urbanization, edited by @ezanahw.bsky.social and Diana Mitlin, explores how urban reformers come together to advance inclusive urban futures.
A new special issue of Environment & Urbanization, edited by @ezanahw.bsky.social and Diana Mitlin, explores how urban reformers come together to advance inclusive urban futures.
💡 Could you – or someone you know – be our new CEO?
In case you missed the news, our current CEO Diana Mitlin has announced she will be stepping down, and we're looking for someone to take over the reins of ACRC!
In case you missed the news, our current CEO Diana Mitlin has announced she will be stepping down, and we're looking for someone to take over the reins of ACRC!
April 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
💡 Could you – or someone you know – be our new CEO?
In case you missed the news, our current CEO Diana Mitlin has announced she will be stepping down, and we're looking for someone to take over the reins of ACRC!
In case you missed the news, our current CEO Diana Mitlin has announced she will be stepping down, and we're looking for someone to take over the reins of ACRC!
As the old saying goes: all politics is local.
In Lagos and elsewhere, political dynamics manifest at various levels – the committee, the community, and the city – and often shape the degree of urban transformation that is possible.
In Lagos and elsewhere, political dynamics manifest at various levels – the committee, the community, and the city – and often shape the degree of urban transformation that is possible.
March 26, 2025 at 9:57 AM
As the old saying goes: all politics is local.
In Lagos and elsewhere, political dynamics manifest at various levels – the committee, the community, and the city – and often shape the degree of urban transformation that is possible.
In Lagos and elsewhere, political dynamics manifest at various levels – the committee, the community, and the city – and often shape the degree of urban transformation that is possible.
NEW | Municipal finance: Crosscutting report
Infrastructure and services are key to driving productivity in African cities and making them liveable, sustainable spaces.
They are also needed to attract investment, enhance employment opportunities and advance structural transformation.
Infrastructure and services are key to driving productivity in African cities and making them liveable, sustainable spaces.
They are also needed to attract investment, enhance employment opportunities and advance structural transformation.
March 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
NEW | Municipal finance: Crosscutting report
Infrastructure and services are key to driving productivity in African cities and making them liveable, sustainable spaces.
They are also needed to attract investment, enhance employment opportunities and advance structural transformation.
Infrastructure and services are key to driving productivity in African cities and making them liveable, sustainable spaces.
They are also needed to attract investment, enhance employment opportunities and advance structural transformation.
NEW | Action research spotlight: Healthy school meals in Nairobi
In this episode, Veronica Mwangi from the University of Nairobi joins @chrisjords.bsky.social to talk about an ACRC action research initiative to improve access to healthy and nutritious school meals in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
In this episode, Veronica Mwangi from the University of Nairobi joins @chrisjords.bsky.social to talk about an ACRC action research initiative to improve access to healthy and nutritious school meals in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
March 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM
NEW | Action research spotlight: Healthy school meals in Nairobi
In this episode, Veronica Mwangi from the University of Nairobi joins @chrisjords.bsky.social to talk about an ACRC action research initiative to improve access to healthy and nutritious school meals in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
In this episode, Veronica Mwangi from the University of Nairobi joins @chrisjords.bsky.social to talk about an ACRC action research initiative to improve access to healthy and nutritious school meals in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
Our three-page research summary covers our key findings around the main drivers of food and nutrition insecurity in African cities, along with recommendations for policy and programming 👇
www.african-cities.org/wp-content/u...
www.african-cities.org/wp-content/u...
March 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Our three-page research summary covers our key findings around the main drivers of food and nutrition insecurity in African cities, along with recommendations for policy and programming 👇
www.african-cities.org/wp-content/u...
www.african-cities.org/wp-content/u...
Our research uncovered a vicious cycle of malnutrition and poor health for many urban residents.
Key contributors to malnutrition are undernutrition (lack of sufficient healthy food) and poor/overnutrition (owing to unhealthy/poor-quality food and overconsumption).
Key contributors to malnutrition are undernutrition (lack of sufficient healthy food) and poor/overnutrition (owing to unhealthy/poor-quality food and overconsumption).
March 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Our research uncovered a vicious cycle of malnutrition and poor health for many urban residents.
Key contributors to malnutrition are undernutrition (lack of sufficient healthy food) and poor/overnutrition (owing to unhealthy/poor-quality food and overconsumption).
Key contributors to malnutrition are undernutrition (lack of sufficient healthy food) and poor/overnutrition (owing to unhealthy/poor-quality food and overconsumption).
NEW | Climate change: Crosscutting report
According to @ipcc.bsky.social analysis, the vulnerability of urban areas in Africa to climate change is increasing, making this a critical issue in all of the cities ACRC is working in.
According to @ipcc.bsky.social analysis, the vulnerability of urban areas in Africa to climate change is increasing, making this a critical issue in all of the cities ACRC is working in.
February 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM
NEW | Climate change: Crosscutting report
According to @ipcc.bsky.social analysis, the vulnerability of urban areas in Africa to climate change is increasing, making this a critical issue in all of the cities ACRC is working in.
According to @ipcc.bsky.social analysis, the vulnerability of urban areas in Africa to climate change is increasing, making this a critical issue in all of the cities ACRC is working in.
NEW | Kampala: City report
Kampala is Uganda’s capital city, serving as its major administrative and commercial centre.
One of Africa’s fastest-expanding cities, it is growing at an annual rate of 5.6%, with a daytime population of over 4.5 million.
Kampala is Uganda’s capital city, serving as its major administrative and commercial centre.
One of Africa’s fastest-expanding cities, it is growing at an annual rate of 5.6%, with a daytime population of over 4.5 million.
February 13, 2025 at 10:19 AM
NEW | Kampala: City report
Kampala is Uganda’s capital city, serving as its major administrative and commercial centre.
One of Africa’s fastest-expanding cities, it is growing at an annual rate of 5.6%, with a daytime population of over 4.5 million.
Kampala is Uganda’s capital city, serving as its major administrative and commercial centre.
One of Africa’s fastest-expanding cities, it is growing at an annual rate of 5.6%, with a daytime population of over 4.5 million.
NEW | Nairobi: City report
Nairobi is central to the Kenyan economy, as a key political battleground and a hub for business networks and national and transnational trade.
Yet it faces an increasingly complex set of socioeconomic, health and spatial inequalities.
Nairobi is central to the Kenyan economy, as a key political battleground and a hub for business networks and national and transnational trade.
Yet it faces an increasingly complex set of socioeconomic, health and spatial inequalities.
February 7, 2025 at 9:31 AM
NEW | Nairobi: City report
Nairobi is central to the Kenyan economy, as a key political battleground and a hub for business networks and national and transnational trade.
Yet it faces an increasingly complex set of socioeconomic, health and spatial inequalities.
Nairobi is central to the Kenyan economy, as a key political battleground and a hub for business networks and national and transnational trade.
Yet it faces an increasingly complex set of socioeconomic, health and spatial inequalities.
NEW | Structural transformation: Domain report
Structural transformation involves the movement of workers from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors – often from agriculture to manufacturing and services – and is a necessary condition for sustained economic growth.
Structural transformation involves the movement of workers from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors – often from agriculture to manufacturing and services – and is a necessary condition for sustained economic growth.
January 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
NEW | Structural transformation: Domain report
Structural transformation involves the movement of workers from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors – often from agriculture to manufacturing and services – and is a necessary condition for sustained economic growth.
Structural transformation involves the movement of workers from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors – often from agriculture to manufacturing and services – and is a necessary condition for sustained economic growth.
NEW | Why do land brokers matter in African cities?
Recently published ACRC research, exploring land and connectivity in African cities, found “land brokers” to be significant players within urban land markets.
Recently published ACRC research, exploring land and connectivity in African cities, found “land brokers” to be significant players within urban land markets.
January 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
NEW | Why do land brokers matter in African cities?
Recently published ACRC research, exploring land and connectivity in African cities, found “land brokers” to be significant players within urban land markets.
Recently published ACRC research, exploring land and connectivity in African cities, found “land brokers” to be significant players within urban land markets.