What is the content of this seventh edition?

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​Special feature: Financing cities in Africa

Africa is experiencing one of the fastest urbanization processes in the world. Cities are expanding at an unprecedented pace, driven by demographic growth, rural-urban migration, and evolving economic dynamics. By 2050, more than half of the continent’s population will live in urban areas, intensifying the demand for infrastructure, housing, services, and public spaces. Yet, this rapid urban growth is unfolding in a context marked by limited fiscal capacity, fragmented governance, and significant investment gaps.

In this context, financing African cities has become a critical challenge. Traditional funding models—often reliant on public budgets and external aid—are no longer sufficient to meet the scale and complexity of urban needs. There is an urgent need to explore innovative, inclusive, and sustainable financing mechanisms capable of supporting the development of resilient and equitable cities.

 

This special feature of African Cities Magazine (Issue 7) is dedicated to addressing a central question: How can African cities be financed? We invite researchers, practitioners, institutions, and urban stakeholders to contribute to this reflection by sharing insights, experiences, and forward-looking perspectives.

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The objective is first to unpack the current landscape of urban finance in Africa. Contributions may examine existing financing mechanisms, such as municipal revenues, public-private partnerships, land value capture, or international funding, and analyze their effectiveness, limitations, and adaptability to local contexts. Understanding how cities currently mobilize and allocate financial resources is key to identifying structural bottlenecks and opportunities for reform.

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Secondly, this issue seeks to explore innovative financing approaches that can better respond to the realities of African urbanization. This includes alternative models such as community-based financing, digital finance solutions, climate finance, impact investment, and blended finance mechanisms. Particular attention will be given to how these tools can enhance inclusivity, support informal economies, and strengthen local governance capacities.

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Finally, the special feature will highlight concrete case studies and practical experiences from across the continent. These contributions will showcase how cities, institutions, and communities are experimenting with new financial instruments, governance arrangements, and partnerships to fund urban development projects. Lessons learned from these initiatives will help inform scalable and context-sensitive solutions.

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By bringing together diverse perspectives, this issue aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of urban finance challenges and opportunities in Africa, while providing actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, investors, and civil society actors. Ultimately, it seeks to foster new pathways toward financing cities that are more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

We welcome contributions from academics, practitioners, organizations, and urban actors engaged in financing urban development in Africa. Share your research, experiences, and ideas to help shape this essential conversation on the future of African cities.

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Portrait and interviews

This section spotlights visionary individuals and organizations driving urban innovation for more sustainable and resilient African cities. It features urban planners, architects, engineers, artists, and innovators developing transformative solutions, alongside companies, research institutions, and design firms pioneering change. Through in-depth interviews and profiles, this segment highlights the leaders shaping Africa’s urban future.

 

Urban Planning & Innovation

How can African cities become more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable while enhancing the quality of life for all citizens? This section explores best practices in urban planning, featuring groundbreaking development projects, governance frameworks, local initiatives, and research that integrate innovative solutions to foster sustainable urban transformation across the continent.

 

Architecture & Innovation

Architecture serves as the structural and cultural backbone of cities. This section showcases cutting-edge architectural solutions addressing key urban challenges such as climate change adaptation, affordable housing, and social inclusion. It highlights innovative design practices, sustainable building projects, and emerging architectural techniques that enhance urban living while preserving Africa’s unique identity.

 

African Architecture & Urban Heritage

With its rich architectural heritage, Africa is home to centuries-old building techniques that continue to shape modern design. This section highlights traditional architecture, heritage conservation, and contemporary projects inspired by traditional African construction methods. It explores both preserved and endangered heritage sites, emphasizing the role of restoration, adaptive reuse, and cultural identity in contemporary urban development.

 

Cities Pixels and Colors 

Cities are living canvases, reflecting the diversity, culture, and innovation of their inhabitants. This section celebrates the visual identity of African cities through photography, digital art, paintings, sketches, sculptures, and illustrations. By merging urban aesthetics and creative expression, Cities, Pixels & Colours captures the vibrancy and uniqueness of Africa’s urban landscapes, offering a visual narrative of city life.

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What type of contributions are we expecting ?

We welcome two types of articles: Research Articles and Project Articles. 

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Research articles
A research article for African Cities Magazine is a cross-disciplinary scholarly work that presents original research findings related to African cities. These articles contribute to the advancement of knowledge by exploring key urban challenges, proposing innovative solutions, and engaging with contemporary debates on city development in Africa. These articles must offer new perspectives on urban transformation in Africa, bridging theory and practice. They should be well-researched, evidence-based, and insightful, making them valuable to urban planners, architects, policymakers, and researchers engaged in shaping African cities. Authors should follow the submission model provided in the attached concept note. Research must be well-structured, analytically rigorous, and align with the thematic focus of African Cities Magazine.

Each research article should follow a clear and structured format, with a maximum length of 2,000 words, including:

• Abstract (max 250 words) – Summarizes the research, objectives, and key findings.

• Argument (max 1000 words) – Develops the core research question, theoretical framework, and methodology.

• Discussion (max 1000 words) – Analyzes results, implications, and contributions to urban studies.

• Conclusion (max 250 words) – Highlights key takeaways and future research directions.

• References – Properly cited sources to support the research.

• The deadline for submitting research articles is 30 June 2026.

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Project articles
A project article for African Cities Magazine is a detailed, structured presentation of a real-world initiative that has positively transformed urban spaces in Africa. These articles showcase best practices, innovative approaches, and successful case studies that contribute to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities. They highlight impactful projects that can inspire other cities, planners, and policymakers by sharing valuable lessons, challenges, and solutions. Each project should introduce creative methodologies to address urban challenges, demonstrate measurable community impact, and serve as a scalable best practice. Submissions must align with the magazine’s key themes, emphasizing transformative urban innovations.

Each project article should be a maximum of 2,000 words and follow a clear five-part structure:

• Abstract (250 words max) - Brief introduction to the project: What is it about? What problem does it address?

• Project Rationale (500 words max) - Context and background: What urban issue led to the creation of this project? The needs and challenges it aims to solve, The stakeholders involved.

• Project Approach (500 words max) - Detailed methodology: How was the project developed and implemented? The innovative strategies used, Key partnerships and collaboration efforts, etc.

• Project Impact (500 words max) - How has the project improved urban life? (Sustainability, inclusivity, resilience, economic benefits, etc.), Data, statistics, or testimonials showing its effectiveness, Any challenges faced and lessons learned.

• Conclusion (250 words max) - Final reflections on the project’s success and limitations, Potential for replication in other cities, Future developments or expansions planned.

• References – Any supporting research, reports, or sources that validate the project's success.

• The deadline for submitting project articles is 30 June 2026.

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Key Dates & Process

Call for Contributions (1 April – 30 April 2026)
The call for contributions opens on 1st April, inviting researchers, practitioners, and urban professionals to submit tentative abstracts and titles for their proposed articles. At this stage, authors have the flexibility to refine and modify their content later in the process.

 

Abstract Review & Selection (1 May – 8 May 2026)
Between 1 May and 8 May, submitted abstracts will undergo an initial review by the scientific committee, assessing their relevance, originality, and alignment with the theme of the magazine. Authors will be notified of the acceptance or rejection of their abstracts by 10 May.

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Full Article Submission (30 June 2026)
Authors with accepted abstracts must submit their full articles by 30 June. These submissions must be made through the African cities magazine website. The submission link will be shared with the authors. Every submission must follow this process.

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Peer Review Process (1 July – 15 August 2026)
From 1 July to 15 August, the scientific committee will conduct a detailed review of the submitted articles. The submissions will be subject to a rigorous peer review process to ensure quality, coherence, and academic relevance. Reviewers will provide feedback, comments, and recommendations for revisions.

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Notification of Accepted Articles (22 August 2026)
Authors will be notified of the final selection of articles on 22 August. Articles requiring revisions must be updated based on the reviewers’ comments.

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Submission of Final Revised Articles (12 September 2026)
Authors must submit their final, corrected versions incorporating reviewers' feedback by 12 September. This ensures the quality and rigor of all published contributions.

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Editing and Layout (15 September – 17 October 2026)
Once finalized, articles will undergo professional editing and layout formatting between 15 September and 17 October to prepare the magazine for publication.

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Official Publication (31 October 2026)
The African Cities Magazine edition 6 will be officially published on 31 October on Africa Innovation Network website, making it available to urban researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the broader public.