In the past two decades rapid urbanisation has emerged in Africa as one of the key challenges. Specifically, estimates are that Africa’s population in cities will in the fourteen to eighteen years double since each year as 200 million additional people take up residence in urban areas. In the absence of adequate infrastructure and the prevalence of poverty slums are as a result proliferating. Over 72% of urban residents presently reside in slums. 

In 2003 the Second General Assembly of African Heads of State considered the challenges and adopted Decision 29[1] that called for a co-ordinated African response. The response needed to accord and promote the vision encapsulated in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which vision recognises cities as engines of socio-economic development and growth. At the same time, it needed to implement Goal 7 Target 11 of the Millennium Development for the improvement of the lives of slums dwellers by 2020 including the HABITAT Agenda.

• AMCHUD I - 2005

• Special Ministerial Conference 3-4 April 2006

• AMCHUD II - 2008