Urban Poverty and Begging in African Countries. Possible Ways Out

Abstract or Introduction

The purpose of this position paper is to clarify why and how of urban poverty and begging in various African towns, and to look ahead to areas and methods those are particularly relevant to reducing urban begging. This includes measures targeted directly on urban begging, and areas of cooperation that will also benefit vulnerable groups in the urban population.

The pace of urbanization is rapidly increasing in countries all over the world, Africa included. Just under half of the world’s six billion people now live in towns. By 2025, four billion people in developing countries will be living in urban areas. Urbanization involves major challenges related to the environment, health and HIV/AIDS and exerts considerable pressure on land, housing, and infrastructure. Uncontrolled urbanization is linked to rising levels of begging and social unrest. The characteristics of urban poverty are different from those of rural poverty and have a particularly negative impact on women, children and young people. There is a clear link between urbanization and economic growth, and economic growth and poverty reduction. For towns to play a central role in poverty reduction, they must be well organized and well governed.