World Bank: Luanda projected to overtake Lagos as sub-Saharan Africa's largest city by 2050

A new World Bank report, “Sub-Saharan Africa’s Urban Awakening: Catalyzing Economic Growth and Job Creation,” projects significant shifts in the demographic landscape of sub-Saharan Africa. By 2050, Luanda, the capital of Angola, is expected to become the region’s most populous city, with its population rising 78 percent from 11.4 million in 2025 to 20.3 million.

Lagos, currently the most populous city in the region, is projected to grow by more than 25 percent to reach 16.2 million by 2050, causing it to fall to second place. Johannesburg is also expected to slip in the rankings, moving from fifth place in 2025 to eighth by 2050.

The report estimates that sub-Saharan Africa will add 748 million people to its urban areas by 2050, bringing the total urban population to approximately 1.7 billion. This rapid urbanization presents both challenges and opportunities for economic growth and job creation, provided governments invest in infrastructure, affordable housing, and transport systems to support productive urban environments.