Globally, it is estimated that 450 million people will migrate from rural to urban areas by 2050. In recent years, there has been a growing acceptance that “environmental refugees” – populations forced to migrate due to the impacts of climate change – are a growing problem. Although there is great uncertainty, some estimate that between 100 and 250 million people (or higher) will be displaced before 2050.
Other factors also drive migration, e.g. land degradation, natural disasters and conflicts. Migration per se is a complex issue and for any given region various drivers can be involved, including economic, political, social, demographic and environmental conditions, all of which are linked in complex ways depending upon local conditions. Migration will be a significant factor on the African continent, which is rapidly changing. As throughout the rest of the world, Africa is experiencing rapid urbanisation: in fact, six of 10 counties with the highest rates of urbanisation in the world are in Africa.