Africa’s smart city market is projected to reach $1.5 billion by the end of 2025 and is set to grow at a significant annual rate of 12% through 2029. This boom is a direct response to the continent’s rapid urbanization, with more than 60% of the population expected to live in urban areas by 2050. Smart cities are designed to address the challenges of this growth by integrating technology for energy, transport, and data management, and they are emerging as a vital solution for sustainable urban development.
These projects are not simply new neighborhoods; they are integrated ecosystems designed to blend technology, sustainability, and economic activity. A key example is Konza Technopolis near Nairobi, known as “Kenya’s Silicon Savannah,” which is a public-private megaproject designed to house tech companies, universities, and data centers. Phase 1, scheduled for completion in 2025, will introduce smart mobility, automated waste systems, and cloud-based services, showing a holistic approach to urban management. In Nigeria, Eko Atlantic, a private-sector-led project, boasts an autonomous energy network and digitized water systems, with plans for real-time traffic control and app-based utility management in 2025. The trend toward smart city development is a clear sign that Africa is proactively planning for its urban future, leveraging technology to build a more efficient, livable, and economically productive continent. It is also an area of significant investment, with projects like Kigali Innovation City aiming to attract $2 billion in private investment and create 50,000 jobs.
