African Cities and Digital Transformation

This lecture discusses the uniqueness of African cities, emphasizing that they are first and foremost cities before being African. It explores the role of digital tools in urban development, highlighting the importance of using technology to enhance decision-making processes and improve urban planning. The speaker reflects on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on urban development and stresses the need for collective intelligence in building smart cities. Additionally, the lecture addresses the challenges of data privacy, governance, and the risk of urban management privatization. It concludes by examining innovative practices in African cities, such as mobile payment systems, and the importance of local expertise in urban planning and development.