It is widely believed that urbanisation is occurring faster in
sub-Saharan Africa than anywhere else in the world, as
migrants move from rural to urban settlements. This is a
fallacy. While the populations of numerous urban areas are
growing rapidly, the urbanisation levels of many countries are
increasing slowly – if at all. Natural increase, rather than net
in-migration, is the predominant growth factor in most urban
populations. African governments, policymakers and
international donors need to acknowledge fundamental
changes in urbanisation trends, and respond to the irrefutable
messages these impart about urban employment, incomes and
economic development.