1. Urbanization and National Development Planning in Africa
Edlam Yemeru
Chief, Urbanization Section
ECA
13 December 2017
Addis Ababa
Regional Validation Workshop: An Urban Lens in National Development Planning

2. CHAPTER | TITLE
Outline
Key messages
National development planning for structural transformation
Importance of urbanization for national development planning
Status of urbanization in national development planning- highlights
Policy implications
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3. Key messages
Urbanization is not only a spatial, local or sectoral issue, but also has significant impacts across sectors as well as on the multiple dimensions of sustainable development.
In Africa, urbanization is a mega trend with profound implications for structural transformation and should thus be integrated into national development planning from a strategic and cross-sectoral perspective.
Productive, competitive, inclusive and sustainable cities and human settlements are necessary for the achievement of long term targets for growth and transformation in Africa.
National development planning in Africa has to fully appreciate the potential of urbanization to drive inclusive growth through increased productivity and wealth creation.
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4. National Development Planning for Structural Transformation
CHAPTER | TITLE
National Development Planning for Structural Transformation
Structural transformation is a top policy priority for Africa to ensure that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable
National development planning is a key vehicle for the achievement of structural transformation
Positive experiences of Asian countries illustrate the potential of national development planning to strategically direct scarce national resources toward growth development goals
There has thus been a revival of national development planning across many African countries
Currently, 34 African countries have long term, whilst 50 have medium term national development plans
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5. Importance of Urbanization for National Development Planning
Africa’s rapid urban transition as profound implications for all aspects of growth and transformation
Theory and experience show that urbanization is both a driver and outcome of the structural transformation process
No country has reached middle income status of achieved industrialization without urbanization
Where it is well planned and managed, urbanization offers considerable opportunities to accelerate the expansion of productive sectors (modern manufacturing and services)
Poorly managed urbanization can in fact lead to rising poverty, inequality, informality
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6. Status of Urbanization in National Development Planning: Highlights
Rwanda’s Vision 2020 considers urbanization a key component for taking the country to middle-income country status, with a targeted 30 per cent urban population share achieved through planned development of Kigali and six secondary cities
The Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy states that six secondary cities will be developed as growth poles and hubs of non-agricultural activity as part of the priorities for economic transformation.
Strategic economic projects and improved connectivity to other towns and rural areas are planned, as is upgraded hard and soft infrastructure, but the strategy continues to underline the critical role of Kigali as a subregional hub. The strategy also makes explicit the links between structural transformation and urbanization.
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7. Status of Urbanization in National Development Planning: Highlights
South Africa’s 2030 National Development Plan
urban growth an opportunity and as part of its analysis of mega-trends and the global economy, and it looks at the impact of the growing middle class on consumption and business opportunities.
It also notes that urbanization not only reduces the number of people engaged in small-scale agriculture; it also facilitates economic diversification.
The plan further mentions the expected rise in discretionary income related to urban trends and the positive impacts of consumer spending on banks, telecommunications firms and manufacturers of fast-moving consumer goods.
The plan lays out a spatial development approach that creates “functionally integrated, balanced and vibrant urban settlements”
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8. Policy implications
mainstream urbanization in national development planning as a cross-sectoral issue in the overall development strategy
recognize that urbanization is largely an irreversible and irrepressible process, and invariably both an enabler and an indicator of economic development
maximize agglomeration effects and minimize negative externalities through nurturing of well-functioning cities as well as national urban systems
set targets for the promotion of forward and backward linkages between cities, towns and villages in order to optimize synergies between urban and rural areas
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9. CHAPTER | TITLE
Policy implications
establish and strengthen cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms to enable comprehensive and multidimensional planning of urbanization aligned to broader development objectives
strengthen economic data at the city-level to illustrate and monitor the role of cities in economic development
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10. more info: <Yemeru@un.org>
THANK YOU!
more info:
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