As Africa’s cities face growing climate risks—from flooding and heatwaves to rapid urban expansion—the need for effective adaptation has become urgent. This policy brief examines how Sino-African cooperation can support climate-resilient urban development, drawing lessons from China’s Sponge City Initiative and emerging partnerships across the continent.
It highlights key opportunities, existing collaboration models, and critical barriers, while offering practical, forward-looking recommendations for African governments, Chinese partners, and multilateral institutions. Ultimately, the brief calls for a shift from project-based interventions to integrated, locally grounded, and co-developed solutions that strengthen urban resilience and sustainability.