African cities are increasingly reclaiming degraded land, restoring wetlands, and recovering waste to address environmental pressures of rapid urban growth. Local authorities are treating green spaces and waste systems as essential infrastructure for healthier, more resilient cities. This shift in urban development is crucial as populations grow, and cities experiment with ways to combine environmental restoration, public space, and economic opportunity.
In Kisii County, Kenya, a former dumpsite has been transformed into a public park, part of a wider effort to turn an environmental liability into a community asset. The county government spent KSh 35 million, approximately US$270,000, on the project. The site, formerly associated with smoke, foul odors, and health concerns, had elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the soil, according to a 2020 study by Kisii University researchers.
Kenya generates an estimated 22,000 tonnes of waste daily, with about 60-70% being organic. This presents opportunities to convert discarded material into compost, fertilizer, and other useful products. A materials recovery facility and a Black Soldier Fly unit have been established to process waste into animal feed and fertilizer. The county aims to reduce the volume of waste sent for disposal while creating value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Kisii County is also linking environmental improvement to employment through its 'Kazi Mashinani programme.' The program engages about 2,000 people monthly on a rotational basis to clean streets, clear drainage channels, and maintain public spaces. County officials project that 24,000 people will benefit from the program. Similar efforts are taking shape elsewhere on the continent, where degraded land and ecosystems are being reconsidered as part of cities' infrastructure.
In Kigali, Rwanda, the Nyandungu Eco-Park demonstrates how wetland rehabilitation can combine environmental protection with recreation and livelihoods. Opened in July 2022, the 121.7-hectare park incorporates restored wetlands, forest, ponds, and walking and cycling routes. The project restored natural habitats and planted 17,000 trees representing over 55 indigenous species. The park is part of a wider program to restore urban wetlands.
The World Bank has outlined plans for five additional wetland ecosystem parks covering nearly 500 hectares across Kigali, backed by US$27 million in financing from the Global Environment Facility. The program aims to reduce flood risks while creating public spaces and economic opportunities. The World Bank projects that the five parks could attract over one million visits annually by 2031, create 7,500 jobs, and help avoid between US$45 million and US$90 million in flood damage.
Other African cities, such as Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Freetown, Sierra Leone, are also implementing initiatives to restore degraded landscapes and reduce environmental risks. The Beautifying Sheger initiative in Addis Ababa aims to rehabilitate 56 kilometers of rivers and surrounding areas, combining environmental improvements with parks, walkways, and flood-control infrastructure. In Freetown, the TreeTown initiative has planted and digitally tracked around 977,000 trees, restoring approximately 1,000 hectares and generating around 1,500 green jobs.
Key points
- African cities are reclaiming degraded land, restoring wetlands, and recovering waste to address environmental pressures of rapid urban growth.
- Local authorities are treating green spaces and waste systems as essential infrastructure for healthier, more resilient cities.
- These efforts offer ways to build more liveable, resilient cities as populations grow.
