Africities: Book Launch - Dynamics of Systems of Secondary Cities in Africa

Secondary Cities in Africa play a crucial role in finance and economy, often being the key component in regional and national supply chains. They face rapid growth which presents not only challenges but also economic opportunities.

Despite their economic importance, their development in a national system of cities has long been neglected at the expense of primary cities and large metropolitan areas. Most secondary cities in Africa face a number of challenges in the management of urban systems that deliver sustainable development outcomes.

Weaknesses in administration, e-government, education, health, and other online services effectively prevent many of them from having equal access to services, information, and technologies available in large cities. This results in weak governance and institutional deficiencies and poor contribution of intermediary cities to national economies and the sustainable development agenda.

Many secondary cities have poor school facilities and lack the teachers and resources needed to develop the skill base and workforce to build stronger and more competitive economies.

Prof. Emeritus Brian Roberts

At the Africities Summit 2022, Cities Alliance launches the new book Dynamics of Systems of Secondary Cities in Africa - Urbanization, Migration and Development by Professors Brian Roberts and Godfrey O. Anyumba, in partnership with the African Development Bank and with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-SDC. During this session, Brian Roberts will present the main findings and recommendations of the publication, based on study cases from cities in eight African countries. 

Featured speakers:

• Prof. Emeritus Brian Roberts – Director, Urban Frontiers 
• Babati  Mokgethi –  Senior Urban Development Officer, African Development Bank
• Astrid Hass – Urban Advisor/Independent Consultant, Kampala 
• Thembisile Nkadimeng  –  Deputy Minister: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA)
• Hon. Kamal Alao Adjayi – Mayor, Lomé Golfe 3, Togo 
• Hon. Mohamed Sefiani  –  Mayor, Chefchaouen, Morocco 
• Prof. Davis G. Mwamfupe –  Mayor Dodoma City 

Chair: Honourable Professor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o – Governor of Kisumu

Moderator:  Greg Munro, Director, Cities Alliance

Rapporteur: Keith Mudadi, Programme Analyst, Cities Alliance