![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/quote_design_v2/public/image/2015/10/Mamphela_RAMPHELE_1_0.jpg.webp?itok=HCvKlwqw) We need to imagine what a 21st century African city, town and village should look like. Reimagined smart ecologically sound human settlements need to provide platforms for innovative sustainable essential public services. Mamphela Ramphele Co-founder of the ReimagineSA initiative, Co-President of the Club of Rome, Former Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, former Managing Director of the World Bank, Member of the Veolia Institute Foresight Committee The issue of access to essential services, in particular water, sanitation, waste collection and treatment, and energy supply is at the crossroads of the environmental and societal challenges of the African continent. The Veolia Institute dedicates a new issue of its review to this subject, with a threefold objective: - To understand the importance of essential services for the sustainable development of the continent, through the analysis of demographic dynamics as well as the socio-political, health and environmental contexts up to 2030; - To map promising innovations, good practices and pitfalls to be avoided: from service planning to governance, from the potential of decentralized solutions and collaboration with the informal sector to the promises of the circular economy on the continent; - To identify the levers for deploying these innovations, in particular new business models and the contribution of digital technology, but also the necessary measurement of the impact of solutions, the key role of user involvement and that of innovative coalitions of stakeholders. \--- *An issue produced in partnership with avec Archipel&Co. \---* [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/default/public/image/2021/01/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Essential%20Services%20in%20Africa%20COUV.jpg.webp?itok=mm4zwnz1) ](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/03/FACTS_ACCES_AUX_SE-V2-EN.pdf) [Read the review](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/03/FACTS_ACCES_AUX_SE-V2-EN.pdf) #### #### Discover: - [Foreword by Mamphela Ramphele](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/01/Prospects%20for%20essential%20services%20in%20Africa%20-%20Mamphela%20Ramphele.pdf), Member of the Veolia Institute Foresight Committeee - ​[Introduction by Nicolas Renard](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/01/Prospects%20for%20essential%20services%20in%20Africa%20-%20Nicolas%20Renard.pdf), Executive Director, Veolia Institute ### 1. Heading towards 2030: outlook and challenges for essential services in Africa The demographic revolution sweeping modern Africa is primarily urban. Everybody knows that population numbers are rising and with Africa already home to close to 15% of the world’s population, compared to 7% in 1960, it also has the fastest rate of population growth of any region of the world1. Africa’s population is also the world’s youngest: 60% of Africans are aged under 25, compared to 44% in emerging economies, and 80% of its people earn under $5 a day. \--- 1 It is thought that between 2015 and 2050, half of all worldwide population growth will center on just eight countries, fi ve of them in Africa (United Nations, World Population Prospects, 2016). These eight countries are India, Nigeria, Pakistan, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Indonesia and Uganda [ ![Photo © Adobe Stock](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_130431133.jpeg.webp?itok=Jf9WYoOl) ](/en/brakes-and-levers-development-essential-services-africa "Brakes and levers for the development of essential services in Africa") Challenges [Brakes and levers for the development of essential services in Africa](/en/brakes-and-levers-development-essential-services-africa "Brakes and levers for the development of essential services in Africa") Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki African Union Development Agency [Read](/en/brakes-and-levers-development-essential-services-africa "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_235136863.jpeg.webp?itok=sr8PINm8) ](/en/how-can-africas-water-companies-boost-their-resilience-when-facing-health-crises "How can Africa’s water companies boost their resilience when facing health crises?") Challenges [How can Africa’s water companies boost their resilience when facing health crises?](/en/how-can-africas-water-companies-boost-their-resilience-when-facing-health-crises "How can Africa’s water companies boost their resilience when facing health crises?") Fadel Ndaw World Bank [Read](/en/how-can-africas-water-companies-boost-their-resilience-when-facing-health-crises "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/12_Constellation_2015%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=TNc67pP8) ](/en/africapolis-understanding-dynamics-urbanization-africa "Africapolis: understanding the dynamics of urbanization in Africa") Challenges [Africapolis: understanding the dynamics of urbanization in Africa](/en/africapolis-understanding-dynamics-urbanization-africa "Africapolis: understanding the dynamics of urbanization in Africa") Philipp Heinrigs Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (SWAC), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) [Read](/en/africapolis-understanding-dynamics-urbanization-africa "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_173798488.jpeg.webp?itok=ObPuINCn) ](/en/quest-efficient-waste-management-architecture-ghana "The quest for efficient waste management architecture in Ghana") Challenges [The quest for efficient waste management architecture in Ghana](/en/quest-efficient-waste-management-architecture-ghana "The quest for efficient waste management architecture in Ghana") Martin Oteng-Ababio University of Ghana [Read](/en/quest-efficient-waste-management-architecture-ghana "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/NBO%20FALL%2709-15.JPG.webp?itok=XbtajKTL) ](/en/toilet-unmentionable-humanitarian-object-or-luxury-good "The toilet: unmentionable humanitarian object or luxury good?") Challenges [The toilet: unmentionable humanitarian object or luxury good?](/en/toilet-unmentionable-humanitarian-object-or-luxury-good "The toilet: unmentionable humanitarian object or luxury good?") Tatiana Thieme, University College London Justin De Koszmovszky, Archipel&Co [Read](/en/toilet-unmentionable-humanitarian-object-or-luxury-good "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_225485185_0.jpeg.webp?itok=aNzaliSd) ](/en/water-governance-context-scarcity "Water governance in a context of scarcity") Challenges [Water governance in a context of scarcity](/en/water-governance-context-scarcity "Water governance in a context of scarcity") Pr. Houria Tazi Sadeq Coalition Marocaine pour l’Eau [Read](/en/water-governance-context-scarcity "Read") [ ![Séance de travail au Woelab © Woelabs](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/Se%25CC%2581ance%2520de%2520travail%2520au%2520Woelab_cre%25CC%2581dit%2520Woelabs_auto_x2.jpg.webp?itok=bg24-Kzf) ](/en/african-smart-cities-2030 "African smart cities in 2030") Challenges [African smart cities in 2030](/en/african-smart-cities-2030 "African smart cities in 2030") Sénamé Koffi Agbodjinou HubCité project [Read](/en/african-smart-cities-2030 "Read") ### 2. High-potential innovations for a fast-changing continent Africa, particularly the sub-Saharan regions, has long been handicapped by the prevalence of simplistic images, rooted either in afro-pessimism or over-valuing the leapfrog effect to transform its development gap into new comparative advantages. Countless reports have highlighted this new narrative, depicting an Africa that is digital and innovative, mobile money being an iconic example of this powerful new movement. [ ![Membre d’une équipe de collecte de données, travaillant sur le profilage des bidonvilles en Afrique du Sud © KYC TV](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/KYCTV-5173.jpg.webp?itok=0U2fB-WW) ](/en/voicing-urban-poor-experience-energy-justice-program-and-slum-dwellers "Voicing the urban poor: experience from an energy justice program for and by slum dwellers") Innovations [Voicing the urban poor: experience from an energy justice program for and by slum dwellers](/en/voicing-urban-poor-experience-energy-justice-program-and-slum-dwellers "Voicing the urban poor: experience from an energy justice program for and by slum dwellers") David Sheridan, Slum Dwellers International Mwaura Njogu, Consultant Andrew Maki, Justice & Empowerment Initiatives (JEI) Frederick Agyemang, EJP Ghana [Read](/en/voicing-urban-poor-experience-energy-justice-program-and-slum-dwellers "Read") [ ![© Adobe Stock](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_304682628.jpeg.webp?itok=1BfsEB3D) ](/en/planning-and-managing-africas-cities-what-place-technology-innovations "Planning and managing Africa’s cities: what place for technology innovations?") Innovations [Planning and managing Africa’s cities: what place for technology innovations?](/en/planning-and-managing-africas-cities-what-place-technology-innovations "Planning and managing Africa’s cities: what place for technology innovations?") Guillaume Josse Groupe Huit, Wexity-Logiroad [Read](/en/planning-and-managing-africas-cities-what-place-technology-innovations "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/Figure%201.jpg.webp?itok=_kb_Eu7F) ](/en/decentralized-electricity-solutions-innovation-essential-services-no-substitute-policy "Decentralized electricity solutions: innovation in essential services is no substitute for policy") Innovations [Decentralized electricity solutions: innovation in essential services is no substitute for policy](/en/decentralized-electricity-solutions-innovation-essential-services-no-substitute-policy "Decentralized electricity solutions: innovation in essential services is no substitute for policy") Sylvy Jaglin, Université Gustave Eiffel, LATTS Emmanuelle Guillou, LATTS [Read](/en/decentralized-electricity-solutions-innovation-essential-services-no-substitute-policy "Read") [ ![Usine de recyclage des eaux usées à Windhoeck - Photo © Veolia](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/PHOTO%20A%20-%20Usine%20de%20recyclage%20des%20eaux%20us%C3%A9es%20%C3%A0%20Windhoeck%20%28c_Veolia%29.jpg.webp?itok=XXFOQu9Z) ](/en/wastewater-reuse-solution-future "Wastewater reuse: a solution with a future") Innovations [Wastewater reuse: a solution with a future](/en/wastewater-reuse-solution-future "Wastewater reuse: a solution with a future") Christophe Maquet Veolia [Read](/en/wastewater-reuse-solution-future "Read") [ ![Photo © Adobe Stock](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_133514931.jpeg.webp?itok=Z9NkH35F) ](/en/repatrn-experience-informal-waste-pickers-ghana "rePATRN: experience with informal waste pickers in Ghana") Innovations [rePATRN: experience with informal waste pickers in Ghana](/en/repatrn-experience-informal-waste-pickers-ghana "rePATRN: experience with informal waste pickers in Ghana") Jeffrey Provencal rePATRN [Read](/en/repatrn-experience-informal-waste-pickers-ghana "Read") [ ![Chaque jour, nous fournissons des services d’assainissement sûrs à plus de 130 000 citadins / Photo © Sanergy](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/We%20serve%20over%20130%2C000%20urban%20residents%20with%20safe%20sanitation%20every%20single%20day%C2%A9Sanergy.jpg.webp?itok=TM8BQElt) ](/en/unlocking-circular-economy-potential-tackle-sanitation-challenge "Unlocking the circular economy potential to tackle the sanitation challenge") Innovations [Unlocking the circular economy potential to tackle the sanitation challenge](/en/unlocking-circular-economy-potential-tackle-sanitation-challenge "Unlocking the circular economy potential to tackle the sanitation challenge") Louise Couder, Sheila Kibuthu Sanergy [Read](/en/unlocking-circular-economy-potential-tackle-sanitation-challenge "Read") [ ![Démonstration de l’installation d’un compteur intelligent - Photo © 0untapped](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/IMG20200716111026.jpg.webp?itok=86v1hVOL) ](/en/smart-meters-innovating-improve-water-supply-post-covid-context "Smart meters: innovating to improve water supply in a post-Covid context") Innovations [Smart meters: innovating to improve water supply in a post-Covid context](/en/smart-meters-innovating-improve-water-supply-post-covid-context "Smart meters: innovating to improve water supply in a post-Covid context") Sam Drabble, Rosemary Campbell, Philip Oyamo, Rosie Renouf WSUP [Read](/en/smart-meters-innovating-improve-water-supply-post-covid-context "Read") ### 3. Conditions needed for scaling up successfully There are a number of pitfalls to avoid when talking about innovation. First is not embracing an overly romanticized vision of bottom-up innovations. Then there is the risk of blithely embracing technophilia. Many initiatives remain small scale and might never have the reach needed to overcome the challenges of accessing essential services across Africa. There are a number of seemingly vital success conditions to meet if innovative solutions for accessing services are to see lasting improvement. [ ![Photo © Adobe Stock](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_102087934.jpeg.webp?itok=9twtXhJb) ](/en/new-models-financing-essential-services "New models for financing essential services") Perspectives [New models for financing essential services](/en/new-models-financing-essential-services "New models for financing essential services") Jean-Michel Severino Investisseurs & Partenaires [Read](/en/new-models-financing-essential-services "Read") [ ![Des toilettes communautaires à Pune, en Inde - Photo © Archipel&Co/ Maja Bialon](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/03_Toilets-inside.jpg.webp?itok=LwQlygTB) ](/en/improving-user-experience-powerful-lever-improve-sanitation-practices-low-income-communities "Improving the user experience: a powerful lever to improve sanitation practices in low-income communities") Perspectives [Improving the user experience: a powerful lever to improve sanitation practices in low-income communities](/en/improving-user-experience-powerful-lever-improve-sanitation-practices-low-income-communities "Improving the user experience: a powerful lever to improve sanitation practices in low-income communities") Bérangère Magarinos-Ruchat, Firmenich Maureen Ravily, Archipel&Co [Read](/en/improving-user-experience-powerful-lever-improve-sanitation-practices-low-income-communities "Read") [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/VISUEL_OUVERTURE_Lighting%20Africa_IFC_World%20Bank%20Group.jpg.webp?h=745a0e00&itok=ZmNP4Gst) ](/en/consumer-education-can-lead-behaviour-change "Consumer education can lead to behaviour change") Perspectives [Consumer education can lead to behaviour change](/en/consumer-education-can-lead-behaviour-change "Consumer education can lead to behaviour change") Gordon Achola, EXP Agency Nana Asamoah-Manu, IFC Younès Drici Tani, Non-affiliated environmental activist Andrea Weiss, WWF South Africa [Read](/en/consumer-education-can-lead-behaviour-change "Read") [ ![Global Sanitation Economy Summit, 2019 - Photo © Toilet Board Coalition](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/IMG_3733.jpeg.webp?itok=M2CHZaEc) ](/en/why-accelerating-partnerships-sanitation-economy-really-matters "Why accelerating partnerships in the Sanitation Economy really matters") Perspectives [Why accelerating partnerships in the Sanitation Economy really matters](/en/why-accelerating-partnerships-sanitation-economy-really-matters "Why accelerating partnerships in the Sanitation Economy really matters") Erin McCusker Toilet Board Coalition, SATO (Lixil) [Read](/en/why-accelerating-partnerships-sanitation-economy-really-matters "Read") [ ![Photo © Adobe Stock](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/AdobeStock_214740354.jpeg.webp?itok=m0WeO6-H) ](/en/measuring-impact-decentralized-electricity-projects-triangulation-approach "Measuring the impact of decentralized electricity projects: a triangulation approach") Perspectives [Measuring the impact of decentralized electricity projects: a triangulation approach](/en/measuring-impact-decentralized-electricity-projects-triangulation-approach "Measuring the impact of decentralized electricity projects: a triangulation approach") Jean-Claude Berthelemy University Paris 1, FERDI [Read](/en/measuring-impact-decentralized-electricity-projects-triangulation-approach "Read") [ ![Photo @ GSMA](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2021/01/KCCA%202.png.webp?itok=Xkbbz-N3) ](/en/digital-solutions-improve-basic-service-provision-urban-poor "Digital solutions to improve basic service provision to the urban poor") Perspectives [Digital solutions to improve basic service provision to the urban poor](/en/digital-solutions-improve-basic-service-provision-urban-poor "Digital solutions to improve basic service provision to the urban poor") George Kibala Bauer Mobile for Development Utilities, GSMA [Read](/en/digital-solutions-improve-basic-service-provision-urban-poor "Read") --- ### Key figures and progress on the African continent: - 1.5 billion city-dwellers on the continent by 2050 - Access to water in africa has improved over the past 20 years - Slower progress in sanitation - Major progress in access to energy, powered by off-grid innovations - Waste management: progress needed in the coming years - Innovation ecosystems growing strongly across the continent [The analysis of Mathilde Martin-Moreau and David Ménascé](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/01/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Essential%20Services%20in%20Africa%2C%20key%20figures.pdf) [ ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/default/public/image/2021/01/Population%20urbaine%20en%20Afrique%20EN.jpg.webp?itok=_hfFSv-s) ](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/01/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Essential%20Services%20in%20Africa%2C%20key%20figures.pdf) [More about](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2021/01/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Essential%20Services%20in%20Africa%2C%20key%20figures.pdf)