REPRESENTATIVES from seven African cities participated in a study tour from August 5 to August 13, 2024, visiting the Brazilian cities of São Paulo, Fortaleza, and Curitiba to explore innovative solutions for sustainable urban development. The tour was organised under the African Development Bank’s African Cities Programme (ACP), launched in 2020, and was funded by the South-to-South Cooperation Trust Fund (SSCTF) in collaboration with the Urban and Municipal Development Fund (UMDF) and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
The purpose of the tour was to facilitate peer exchanges between cities in the Global South, allowing African city officials to learn from Brazil’s urban planning strategies and adapt successful models to their local contexts.
‘Africa’s rapid urban transition shares many similarities with Latin America’s experience in the mid-20th century,’ said Darline Tognia, UMDF Coordinator and leader of the delegation. ‘By visiting Brazil today, we can observe how cities have managed this growth and identify which solutions have been effective.’
The delegation included 19 senior municipal officials from various departments, including planning, finance, and transportation services, representing cities such as Nairobi (Kenya), Beira (Mozambique), Tshwane (South Africa), Lomé (Togo), Dakar (Senegal), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Freetown (Sierra Leone).
The tour began in São Paulo, South America’s largest city, known for its blend of innovation and sustainability amidst complex urban challenges. The delegation visited Parque Bristol, where they observed a multipurpose facility for children that is part of the city’s ‘School Feeding Programme,’ which promotes healthy eating and supports urban agriculture. They also met with waste recycling cooperatives, explored an electric bus maintenance centre, and learned about public transport initiatives such as river-boats and informal settlement upgrades.
In Fortaleza, the delegation witnessed various projects that have significantly improved urban sustainability, including advancements in sustainable mobility, youth engagement, and climate resilience.
The final leg of the tour took place in Curitiba, a city recognised for its pioneering approach to urban mobility and sustainable development. The delegation studied Curitiba’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and explored its slum upgrading, urban planning, and solid waste management programs.
The Urban and Municipal Development Fund organised this tour to foster a network of African cities committed to adopting inclusive and human-centred urban solutions. This initiative follows earlier tours in 2022 to Copenhagen and Malmö, where participants studied the sustainable urban planning strategies of Nordic countries.
