Africa’s hidden megacities surge, reshaping economies and daily life

From a modest post-independence town of 163,000, Onitsha now hosts 5.6 million people, and Lagos has grown to over 20 million, exemplifying Africa’s swift urban transition. The surge supports diverse enterprises, such as market stalls selling locally distilled spirits and motorbike parts factories linked to Chinese suppliers. Yet many residents rely on informal work, lacking reliable power, water and waste collection, and live in sprawling slums.

Scholars describe this pattern as “fast, late and poor” urbanisation, where population pressure outpaces state capacity. While some cities like Kigali pursue planned density, most Nigerian conurbations expand outward, prompting officials to propose massive road networks to improve connectivity. The overall impact on productivity, income and political engagement remains uncertain, but the scale of change is undeniable.