By Njeri Irungu,
10th April 2026,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenya takes centre stage in shaping Africa’s urban future, convening leaders, policymakers and investors in Nairobi for the Second Africa Urban Forum, where the urgency of addressing the continent’s housing shortfall dominated discussions.
Held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the high-level gathering brought together thousands of delegates from more than 40 countries, all focused on finding workable solutions for Africa’s fast-expanding cities. The forum, organised by the African Union in partnership with UN-Habitat, aligns with the continent’s long-term blueprint, Agenda 2063.
Opening the forum, William Ruto underscored the importance of building cities that are not only engines of economic growth but also inclusive and sustainable. He highlighted Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme as a cornerstone of this vision, pointing to its role in reducing the housing deficit while stimulating job creation and economic activity.
In his remarks, Musalia Mudavadi challenged leaders to move beyond prolonged discussions and focus on tangible results. He noted that while dialogue has helped shape policy direction, the time had come to deliver visible change in people’s lives through concrete action.
Across the sessions, a recurring theme emerged: Africa’s urbanisation is accelerating at a pace that demands faster, more coordinated responses. Stakeholders emphasised the need for improved urban planning, stronger governance frameworks and efficient policy implementation to keep up with growing populations in cities.
Housing, in particular, was framed as more than just shelter. Leaders stressed that access to decent housing is closely tied to dignity, economic opportunity and social stability. Efforts to upgrade informal settlements and expand access to basic services were highlighted as critical steps toward improving living conditions for millions.
On the financing front, John Mbadi positioned Kenya as a regional leader in mobilising climate and development finance. He revealed plans for a multi-country proposal to the Green Climate Fund aimed at strengthening urban resilience across 20 African nations, while also pointing to the Affordable Housing Act as a mechanism to unlock significant private sector investment.
Global voices also weighed in on the scale of the challenge. Anaclaudia Rossbach noted that Africa’s urban transition is unfolding faster than in any other region, urging governments to treat housing as a catalyst for growth rather than
