Africa Urban Forum II Nairobi: What the April 2026 Meeting Agreed
By Kelvin Kibet | Updated October 1, 2026
The Second Africa Urban Forum concluded in Nairobi on April 10, 2026 with participating states and stakeholders adopting the AUF2 Nairobi Declaration on housing and sustainable urban development.
What the forum focused on
The three-day meeting brought together governments, urban specialists, civil society, private-sector representatives and development partners to discuss affordable housing, urban finance, climate resilience and the rapid growth of African cities.
Kenya had spent the weeks before the meeting mobilising African diplomatic missions and encouraging strong continental participation.
What the Nairobi Declaration committed to
The declaration called for measurable action toward adequate, affordable, inclusive and climate-resilient housing and sustainable urban development. It also called for stronger financing, technical cooperation and participation by communities, researchers and the private sector.
Why housing was central
African cities are growing rapidly, placing pressure on housing, transport, sanitation and other services. Forum discussions treated housing not only as a social need but also as part of economic development and climate resilience.
What comes after a declaration
Declarations do not automatically build homes or infrastructure. The meaningful test is whether governments and partners translate the commitments into funded projects, national policies and measurable improvements in urban services.
What came out of the forum
The Nairobi meeting was intended to build a common African position on housing and urbanisation ahead of global urban-policy discussions. The value of the final declaration depends on whether governments and partners translate its commitments into financing, planning reforms and practical housing or infrastructure programmes.
Why urbanisation is a policy issue
Rapid urban growth can expand jobs and markets, but it can also strain housing, transport, drainage, sanitation and basic services when planning and investment lag behind population growth.
For Kenya, hosting the forum also reinforced Nairobi’s role as a centre for continental diplomacy on housing and urban policy alongside its UN-Habitat presence.
