Africa

MIGRANTS, MARKETS, AND MAYORS

Rising above the Employment Challenge in Africa's Secondary Cities

Edited by Luc Christiaensen and Nancy Lozano

AFRICA DEVELOPMENT FORUM

December 2022. 180 pages. Stock no. C211903 (ISBN: 978-1-4648-1903-2). US$43.95

In our rapidly urbanizing world, mayors often see migrants as a burden to their cities' labor markets and a threat to their development. Drawing on national household surveys and four secondary city case studies in Africa, this report finds that migrants— being younger, better educated, and complementary to the resident labor force—can strengthen the urban labor force. Labor market outcomes for migrants generally are at least as good as those for residents. Migrants also contribute increasingly less to urban population growth. Secondary cities and towns are particularly well placed to leverage migration if they have good urban management that develops land and labor markets, prepares for growth, and benefits everyone, migrants as well as residents. Migrant-specific interventions are warranted when divisions between natives and migrants are deep. Strengthening the financial, technical, and planning capacity of towns and secondary cities to better integrate migrants is part and parcel of the good jobs agenda.

THE FUTURE OF RESOURCES IN AFRICA

The Role of Extractives for Transformation under the Carbon Transition

By James Frederick Cust and Boubacar Bocoum

AFRICA DEVELOPMENT FORUM

November 2022. 200 pages. Stock no. C211743 (ISBN: 978-1-4648-1743-4). US$48.50

Harnessing natural resource wealth to drive economic transformation is central to Africa’s economic future. However, the historical record suggests that the process will not be easy. The present situation is one of both challenges—including rising debt distress and unmet expectations—and opportunities, with new discoveries and large reserves waiting to be exploited. Looking ahead, there are new risks and prospects on the horizon. For instance, the transition away from carbon fuels will affect the demand for fossil fuels and increase the need for minerals and metals useful in the low-carbon economy. How can Sub-Saharan African countries prepare for this future, while learning the lessons of the past? Leveraging resources for economic transformation will require new approaches but will confront long-standing political economy pitfalls. This report examines the macro challenges and opportunities posed by nonrenewable resource wealth, while reviewing experience at the economy and sector levels that has helped or hindered the contribution from resource extraction for broad-based economic development.