Big African cities could see a significant increase in their population numbers by the end of the century with smarter planning becoming more imperative in order to provide sufficient housing and other social welfare infrastructure for current and new residents.

For example, in Nigeria, Lagos could see its population spike from its current 20-million to more than a 100-million by 2099.

The South African Cities Network says cities provide many employment and other opportunities for migrants and therefore people will continue to flock in large numbers.

Programme Manager at the SA Cities Network, Danga Mughogho, says an influx of new residents leads to additional pressures on urban infrastructure.

Mughogho says urban development must be inclusive and cater to future challenges.

Access the latest State of South African Cities report here.

Related articles:

The Dubai-based airline, Emirates says it has, since the easing of the Covid-19 travel restrictions, seen a dramatic increase in the demand for flights to and from South Africa.

Before the pandemic, the airline had 49 weekly flights to and from SA.

Emirates Regional Manager for Southern Africa, Afzal Parambil says, over the past few weeks, the airline managed to reinstate 26 flights to South Africa.

Parambil says they are struggling to keep up with demand.

The airline will also boost its cooperation with SA Airlink to offer visitors access to more South African destinations, from June this year.

Parambil says the airline says it has managed to reinstate almost 70% of its flights to South Africa already.

He says the airline anticipates having 80% of flight capacity on offer by the middle of 2022.

Find the latest flight updates from Emirates here.

Related articles:

The South African government will continue to work with other African countries to attract more international investment and visitors to the continent.

This, according to Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who yesterday opened the 2022 Africa Travel Indaba in Durban.

Sisulu says challenges, such as xenophobia, unnecessary red tape, and immigration irregularities deter investments and scare off overseas tourists.

She says all African countries have the potential domestic tourism numbers to help their respective tourism sectors rebuild and recover after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The minister says cooperation between African countries, could also help boost intra-continental tourism.

Read Sisulu’s statement here.

Related articles:

The World Health Organization says it is especially women on the African continent that have been severely negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

New research shows that up to 40% of African countries have reported continued disruptions to sexual, reproductive, maternal, and child & adolescent health services, since the onset of the pandemic.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti says with International Women’s Day being celebrated today, it is important that governments improve their interventions to counteract these negative effects.

Moeti says teenage pregnancies and incidences of gender-based violence have also increased.

Read Moeti’s full statement here.

Related articles:

The World Health Organization has cautioned against the abolishing of Covid-19 isolation protocols.

The WHO’s Dr. Maria van Kerkhove says allowing people who test positive to continue engaging with others will lead to the further spread of the virus.

She says proper testing also ensures that those, who may end up in hospital with severe forms of the virus, get early treatment and care.

Watch the full briefing here.

Related articles: