Addis Ababa: French Institute of International Relations Sub-Saharan Africa Center Research Fellow observed that the infrastructure development underway in Addis Ababa is impressive and stressed the critical role of urban governance in Africa's rapid urbanization. Addis Ababa hosted the inaugural Africa Urban Forum at Adwa Victory Memorial, starting from 4th to 6th September, 2024, where, among others, high-ranking officials, mayors, urban planers, drawn from across Africa and beyond attended. The Ethiopian capital has been undergoing through extensive corridor development in recent times. Sub-Saharan Africa Center of the French Institute of International Relations, Research Fellow, Sina Schlimmer told ENA that the infrastructure development underway in Addis Ababa is very striking. 'I've only been here for less than 48 hours, but it's my first time in Addis Ababa, and I also want to definitely come back here. What I found very striking is the construction that is going on everywhere, even within the city and outside the Adwa Museum; I'm impressed by the road infrastructure. There wasn't the traffic jam that I expected,' Schlimmer said. As part of the research program that I am heading in Paris, I'm working with diverse stakeholders, including UN Habitat, she said. "I think it is significant and symbolic that it (Africa Urban Forum) is hosted in Ethiopia, in Addis, where the African Union is based, it is an organizer and a host, is very important. It shows that urban growth and urbanization is being taken on the agenda of the African Union as one of the key development issues. So I'm very happy to be part of this event,' she added. Noting the crucial role of urban governance in Africa, where the continent is experiencing rapid urbanization, she emphasized the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and researchers, to ensure sustainable and equitable urban development. 'Working on urban governance in Africa is particularly i mportant because Africa is one of the regions of the world that are urbanizing at a very rapid pace,' she said, adding "By 2050, in some countries of Africa, about 70 percent of people will be living in cities. So it's extremely important to create knowledge and understanding on how African cities are going to grow.' She further explained urbanization issues in Africa 'we talk about Africa as a region, as a continent, but it's also very important to look at the specificities of urban growth in the different countries, in the different regions, and also in different cities because it's a diverse continent. So we have to take into consideration that cities are growing differently and with different socio economic impacts in the different regions of the continent.' Africa is experiencing a rapid urbanization process, with cities growing at an unprecedented pace, she said. Urbanization presents both opportunities and challenges for the continent, including issues related to housing, infrastructure, and social services and effective urban governance is crucial for ensuring sustainable and inclusive urban development in Africa. Source: Ethiopian News Agency