Global urban developers and policymakers today took a decisive step toward reshaping the continent’s urban future, launching a bold agenda to accelerate the creation of new, investment-ready cities that support the fast-growing population.
Africa is the only continent whose population will grow significantly, estimated to grow by 2.2 billion people between 2030 and 2100 – according to a 2023 global report by Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The report notes that by 2050, the continent will account for a quarter of the global workforce and over 40% by 2100. As a result, charter cities are gaining momentum across Africa as countries seek to advance traditional urban development models in response to rapid urbanization.
Mark Lutter, Executive Director of the Charter Cities Institute, during the summit opening: “Charter Cities are new cities with better laws. This matters because governance is essential. Governance determines the outcome of countries and whether their people live in success or poor conditions. Having these stakeholders at the table learning from each other, learning from best practices, allows for success and accelerates the charter cities process”.
Participants of the New Cities Summit 2025, convening in Nairobi, called on national governments and international partners to back this shift with funding, technical support, and governance reform, marking a new chapter in how Africa plans, builds, and governs its urban future.
Eng. Byron Buyu, Secretary for Urban and Metropolitan Development, in a speech delivered on behalf of Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development of Kenya, noted: “We are investing heavily in Urban Regeneration and Infrastructure Development. The Nairobi Railway City is a flagship example of this ambition to enhance mobility, stimulate economic growth, and revitalize urban planning. Through initiatives such as Konza Technopolis, Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone and our comprehensive Affordable Housing Programme, we are actively redefining how we build and shape the spaces where our people live, work and thrive.”
The Charter Cities Institute and Kenya’s Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development recently signed an MoU to advance resilient secondary cities across the country. The partnership was a significant step toward advancing inclusive and sustainable urbanization in Kenya and showed shared commitment to realizing the ambitions of Kenya’s Vision 2030 through innovative city-building and capacity development particularly through climate resilient development, twinning of cities, decentralizing governance, and enhancing legal and institutional frameworks for urban management.
Unlike conventional special economic zones (SEZs), which are typically small and focused on industrial activity with limited regulatory scope, charter cities span larger areas—often over 10 square kilometers—and operate under distinct regulatory frameworks designed to attract investment, spur innovation, and deliver sustainable, inclusive growth.
Inspired by global success stories like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Charter cities are envisioned as integrated urban hubs that offer solutions to pressing challenges like housing, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. Experts stress that the ability to implement regulatory reforms at the city level is vital, as regulatory constraints remain one of the key barriers to unlocking the full economic potential of African cities.
Projects spotlighted at the summit’s Cities Catapult ranged from climate-smart manufacturing parks and creative economy districts to healthcare access models and sustainable tourism hubs. Selected initiatives are set to receive a pipeline of support, including early-stage funding, technical guidance, access to investor networks, and long-term implementation partnerships. These projects reflect urgent priorities, including record youth unemployment, climate risk, and critical social infrastructure gaps facing Kenya and much of the continent.
