Climate Action in Africa Should Include Housing Plans

We cannot talk about climate resilience without talking about where people live.

By ACCC Media

The African Urban Forum 2026 in Nairobi convened policymakers, urban planners, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society to advance Africa’s urban development agenda, with a strong focus on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and sustainable cities. The Forum provided a continental platform to assess progress, share knowledge, and define actionable pathways for managing Africa’s rapid urban transformation.

Discussions at the Forum highlighted the scale and pace of urbanization across the continent. African cities are expanding faster than planning systems can adequately respond, resulting in increased pressure on housing, infrastructure, and essential services. This growth has contributed to the expansion of informal settlements, where a significant proportion of urban populations reside without secure tenure, adequate infrastructure, or access to basic services. Participants emphasized that addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring that urbanization contributes positively to economic growth and social development.

The Forum framed urbanization as both a challenge and a strategic opportunity. When effectively managed, cities can serve as engines of economic transformation, enabling job creation, industrialization, and innovation. Urban areas concentrate economic activity, generate wealth, and provide opportunities for improved livelihoods. However, this potential can only be realized through coordinated planning, strong governance systems, and sustained investment in infrastructure and services.

A central theme emerging from the Forum was the need to integrate climate action with housing and urban development. Evidence presented during discussions underscored that housing conditions are directly linked to climate vulnerability. Communities living in poorly planned or inadequately serviced areas are disproportionately exposed to climate-related risks such as flooding, extreme heat, and health hazards. These risks are further intensified by inadequate drainage systems, poor waste management, and limited access to resilient infrastructure.

The Forum emphasized that addressing climate resilience requires a shift in how housing is conceptualized and delivered. Investment in affordable, climate-resilient housing was identified as a priority for reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity. This includes upgrading informal settlements, promoting climate-smart construction methods, and ensuring that housing policies are aligned with broader urban and climate strategies. The importance of integrating land-use planning, infrastructure development, and environmental management into a cohesive framework was also highlighted.

In addition to housing, the Forum underscored the importance of strengthening urban systems more broadly. This includes improving transportation networks, expanding access to water and sanitation, enhancing waste management systems, and promoting energy-efficient infrastructure. Participants noted that resilient urban systems are essential for supporting growing populations while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The adoption of the Nairobi Implementation Declaration marked a significant outcome of the Forum. The Declaration outlines a set of time-bound, action-oriented commitments aimed at addressing key urban challenges across the continent. These include accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 11, strengthening national and local urban policies, mobilizing financing for housing and infrastructure, and enhancing institutional capacity at all levels of government.

The Declaration also emphasizes the importance of policy reform and institutional strengthening. It calls for improved urban planning regulations, the integration of housing into national development frameworks, and the establishment of mechanisms to support coordinated implementation. Furthermore, it highlights the need to empower subnational and local governments, recognizing their central role in managing urban development on the ground.

Financing emerged as a critical issue throughout the Forum. Participants identified the need for innovative financing mechanisms to address Africa’s housing deficit and infrastructure gaps. This includes leveraging public and private investment, strengthening municipal finance systems, and improving access to climate finance. The role of regional and international financial institutions in supporting sustainable urban development was also emphasized.

The Forum further highlighted the importance of inclusive approaches to urban development. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by inadequate housing and limited access to services. Ensuring their meaningful participation in planning and decision-making processes is essential for achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes.

Collaboration was identified as a key enabler of progress. The Forum brought together a wide range of stakeholders, reinforcing the need for partnerships between governments, the private sector, development partners, academia, and local communities. Multi-level and multi-sector coordination was emphasized as necessary for translating policy commitments into tangible results.

Digital innovation and data governance were also recognized as important components of modern urban planning. The use of digital tools, data systems, and geographic information systems can support evidence-based decision-making, improve service delivery, and enhance transparency and accountability in urban management.

The Forum concluded with a clear emphasis on implementation. While significant progress has been made in defining policies and frameworks, the focus must now shift to delivering measurable outcomes. This includes tracking progress through monitoring and evaluation systems, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and ensuring that commitments translate into improved living conditions for urban populations.

Overall, the African Urban Forum 2026 reinforced the central role of cities in Africa’s development trajectory. It highlighted the need for integrated, inclusive, and forward-looking approaches to urbanization, with housing, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure at the core. The outcomes of the Forum provide a foundation for advancing Africa’s urban agenda and ensuring that cities contribute to long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Thank you Team For Attending and Representing!