Migration and African Cities

This presentation will look at different aspects of the complex relationship migration and African cities, highlighting points of comparison and contrast with other regions of the world. Over the last century, rural-urban migration has played a major part in the growth of African cities, stimulating many debates about people's cultural values and social practices changes as they move to urban areas. More recently, there has been much concern about the role of some African cities as a transit point prior to international migration - the city as a stepping stone. Two other aspects have been less explored. First, there is the role of cities as gateways into global markets, which rely on the mobility of African traders across the globe -most notably to China in recent years. Second, there is the movement across Africa that is creating distinctive 'foreign' populations to be found in cities in every part of the continent. Despite (or perhaps because of) having no policy, 'integration' is taking place and people are becoming part of new societies, contributing to the diversity and dynamism of many African cities.