Cairo / Nairobi / Lagos – July 2025

Across Africa, governments are turning to bold mega-city projects as the solution to population pressure, outdated infrastructure, and economic ambition. From Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, to Kenya’s Konza Technopolis, and Nigeria’s Eko Atlantic, a wave of futuristic urban centers is rising—fueled by a mix of state investment, foreign funding, and private capital.

In Egypt, the New Administrative Capital, located east of Cairo, is a $60 billion project designed to relieve congestion and house government ministries. It features high-speed trains, smart infrastructure, and even plans for Africa’s tallest tower.

In Kenya, Konza City—nicknamed "Silicon Savannah"—is being pitched as East Africa’s tech hub. With a focus on education, innovation, and clean energy, the $14 billion development is attracting global tech interest but faces delays and questions over inclusion.

Nigeria’s Eko Atlantic, built on reclaimed land off the coast of Lagos, offers high-end commercial and residential towers in a private-city format. Marketed as flood-proof and ultra-modern, it has drawn both investment and critique for catering to elites.

These mega-projects aim to boost GDP, attract FDI, and position African nations as hubs of innovation. Yet critics raise alarms: Who are these cities really for?

“The risk is creating smart cities for the rich, while the poor are pushed further into the margins,” says urban planner Kwame Oduro. “Without inclusive policies, these cities may deepen inequality instead of solving it.”

Environmentalists also question the sustainability of these projects, especially in coastal zones vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Still, governments argue that these cities represent the future of African urbanization—planned, connected, and global in outlook. The success of these cities could define the continent’s development trajectory in the coming decades.