The role of local leadership in establishing all these principles cannot be over-emphasized. - Aisa Kirabo Kacyira

As we know, Africa is urbanizing at an extraordinary rate – with tens of thousands moving to cities every day. Half of the continent is expected to be living in cities by 2030 bringing the familiar challenges – unplanned urbanization, informal settlements, poverty, inequality, unemployment humanitarian crises, conflict.

We need to ensure that the process of engagement, will finally capture the key issues and guide the policy in a manner that captures the views of the people and provide values on research that will enable the urbanization to be implemented.

With the fourth industrial revolution unwinding and the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that the future is digital and technology-driven.