Urbanization and Informal Settlements in African Cities: A Theoretical Framework on Social Welfare Dynamics

Urbanization in African cities is accelerating, leading to significant challenges such as rapid population growth and inadequate infrastructure, particularly affecting informal settlements where a large proportion of urban dwellers reside. Theoretical synthesis and conceptual analysis will be employed to explore existing literature and theories relevant to urbanization, social welfare, and informal settlement dynamics in African cities. The theoretical framework developed will provide a comprehensive understanding of how urbanization impacts social welfare in African cities, with particular attention to the complexities faced by informal settlement residents. Policy makers should consider implementing inclusive and equitable social welfare programmes that recognise the unique needs of informal settlements to address inequalities effectively.