Whenever we talk about building sustainable cities in Africa, the conversation tends to stay in concrete.
We talk about housing. Roads. Power. Drainage. Internet.
All of that is essential. But here’s what I’ve learned working with young people migrating from rural towns into cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra:
You can’t build a sustainable city if the people in it can’t afford to live, work, or grow within it.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities – is not just about infrastructure. It’s about inclusion, safety, dignity, and opportunity, at the human level.
Take Lagos, for instance. One of the fastest-growing cities in the world is projected to hit 30 million people by 2035. Every month, thousands of young people arrive, hoping for a better future. But without housing, skills, or access, many end up in the very conditions SDG 11 aims to solve: overcrowded slums, underemployment, and systemic exclusion.
And this isn’t unique to Nigeria.
Across Africa, over 55% of the urban population lives in informal settlements (UN-Habitat, 2022). These are communities without stable jobs, safe transit, or affordable access to skills development.
So the question is: What kind of “smart” city are we building if the people inside it are excluded from the very systems meant to empower them?
When I founded the Skilled For Work Academy, part of my goal was to prepare people not just for jobs, but for the reality of working, growing, and thriving in urban Africa.
We teach people how to communicate professionally, so they can advocate for themselves.
We teach how to work remotely, because not every city can absorb the migration rate.
We provide structure, clarity, and confidence because young people in urban chaos need mental and professional stability, not just motivational talk.
I’ve had learners tell me: “I came to Lagos to find opportunity, but I found confusion. This program gave me structure.” That’s what workforce-focused education can do. It brings order where there is fragmentation.
So how do we build cities that are actually sustainable?
🔹 Urban planners must collaborate with skills educators and youth groups because no building plan is complete without human development baked in.
🔹 Local governments must create digital learning hubs and job centres within underserved neighbourhoods and make those services free or low-cost.
🔹 Donor-funded smart city projects must invest in the people who will use those cities through upskilling, transportation subsidies, and housing support.
🔹 Employers building urban HQs must provide internships and apprenticeships to local youth, not just recruit from elite institutions.
A city can only be called inclusive when the people who move into it have more than just shelter. They need dignity, direction, and the tools to contribute meaningfully to the community they now call home.
Let’s not forget: Buildings don’t make a city sustainable. People do.
Dr. Aderinsola Adio-Adepoju
Sustainability | Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Global Opportunities | Employability Skills