Migration and urbanization in Africa

Abstract

Migration and urbanization are both part of the same process within the population dynamics of Africa and they are therefore constantly interacting. This chapter examines the process of urbanization in Africa in five key areas, namely: the natural increase in urban dwellers, international immigration to cities, internal rural-to-urban migration, reclassification, and metropolitanization. The argument is presented that in Africa, as in most other developing countries, the process of urbanization is mostly as a result of rural-to-urban migration. The rapid urbanization witnessed across the continent has been as a result of the “push” of rural inhabitants to urban areas. This chapter recommends that in urban governance across the continent, high priority should be given to urban development in the various national development plans of countries in Africa. In addition, rural development should not be neglected in order to ensure the inclusive growth of individuals and groups on the continent.