Angola faces rapid urban shift as cities expand at record pace, says minister

Angola is undergoing a phase of rapid and often uncontrolled urban expansion, largely fueled by strong population growth and significant internal displacement, Angola’s Minister of Public Works, Urban Planning, and Housing, Carlos Alberto Gregório Dos Santos, said.

Speaking at a ministerial roundtable during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, the minister noted that Angola’s population has surpassed 36 million, with most residents concentrated in major urban centres and surrounding suburban zones, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"Such growth rates have placed enormous strain on housing, transportation infrastructure, water drainage, sewerage systems, and basic social services. In response to these challenges, the government is fundamentally revising its territorial development strategy," he said.

As Santos highlighted, Angola’s urban policy is no longer limited to the physical expansion of cities. Instead, urban planning has become a strategic instrument aimed at reducing climate risks, safeguarding the environment, promoting social inclusion, and enhancing overall urban resilience.

"To overcome the housing shortage, Angola is implementing a set of government programs covering 12 priority areas. Sustainable cities are impossible without a strong infrastructure base and adequate financial support. I call on international partners to deepen multilateral cooperation, emphasizing that well-designed urbanization can become an effective tool for economic recovery and climate adaptation both for Angola and the entire African continent," the minister added.

By Jeyhun Aghazada