World Cities Day
Earning local buy-in to build people-centred smart cities in Africa
Across Africa, governments are turning to innovative city concepts and technology-driven approaches to urban development as pathways to manage rapid urbanisation, attract investment, and improve service delivery. From Konza Technopolis in Kenya to Eko Atlantic in Nigeria and Kigali’s innovation city, the continent is embracing visions of digitally connected, efficient cities.
However, many citizens view these projects with scepticism. In places where residents still grapple with unreliable water, sanitation, housing, and livelihoods, promises of “smart” infrastructure can feel disconnected from daily realities. For smart cities to succeed, they must start from and continually respond to peoples lived experiences.
A common mistake is to equate smart cities solely with digital systems, such as sensors, apps, and data dashboards. Technology should be a tool, not an end in itself. African governments and partners need to frame smart cities as human-centred ecosystems that improve access to basic services, mobility, safety, and economic opportunity. For example, a “smart” waste management system should not simply track bins through sensors; it should ensure cleaner streets, better health, and decent work for waste collectors. Citizens must see clear, tangible improvements in their quality of life. Otherwise, the concept remains abstract or elitist.
Many urban projects in Africa have struggled because they were top-down, conceived in boardrooms rather than community halls. To build buy-in, governments should involve residents from the start through participatory planning and transparent decision-making.
Digital town halls, open consultations, and community mapping exercises can give locals a voice in shaping priorities, such as affordable housing, safe public spaces, or inclusive transportation. When people participate, they are more likely to protect, maintain, and advocate for the resulting systems. Transparency in budgets and land-use decisions can also prevent mistrust, particularly in cases of displacement or gentrification.
Locals will support innovative initiatives if they see them solving everyday problems. Instead of focusing first on high-tech solutions, stakeholders should identify how technology can enhance the delivery of basic services such as clean water, power, waste management, healthcare, and education. For instance, digital platforms that track water access or mobile systems that allow residents to report broken streetlights can empower communities while improving accountability. Similarly, using data to manage informal transport routes can make commutes safer and more efficient for low-income workers. These small, practical wins help citizens see the value of “smart” systems in real life.
Equally important, Africa’s digital divide means that not all citizens can engage equally in smart city ecosystems. Women, people with disabilities, and residents in informal settlements are often excluded from both design and access. Bridging this gap requires investment in digital literacy and affordable connectivity, alongside inclusive design principles. Smart cities must be accessible via basic mobile phones and not just smartphones or computers. Training local youth as digital stewards or community data collectors can also create job opportunities while strengthening community engagement.
What is clear is that governments cannot build smart cities on their own. Partnerships with local universities, startups, civil society, and private investors are crucial. However, these partnerships must respect local knowledge, avoid imposing external models, and focus on context-specific solutions. For instance, solar microgrids and pay-as-you-go systems, innovations originating in Africa, demonstrate how technology can scale when it aligns with people’s financial and social realities. The same principle should guide the development of smart cities.
Success should not be defined by the amount of technology deployed, but by how much it enhances well-being, inclusion, and resilience. Metrics could include reductions in commute time, cleaner air, safer neighbourhoods, or greater citizen satisfaction. If governments communicate these outcomes clearly, showing progress through community storytelling, rather than just statistics, they build trust and pride in shared achievements.
Ultimately, Africa’s smart cities must not be digital replicas of Western models, but new urban systems shaped by African priorities: inclusivity, sustainability, and human dignity. To gain local buy-in, leaders must demonstrate that “smart” means responsive, affordable, and grounded in people’s everyday lives.
