The Resilience Insight Africa Knowledge Hub Launched to Strengthen Risk-Informed Urban Development

Across Africa, cities are expanding quickly while facing rising risks linked to climate change, environmental stress, and unplanned urbanisation. Addressing these challenges requires not only strong policies, but also access to reliable knowledge and practical tools that can guide action. The Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA) project, commissioned by the Government of Germany and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), together with its partners has launched Resilience Insight Africa, a new digital platform designed to support risk-informed urban development, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience across the continent.

The knowledge hub was developed together with key partners, including the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa, Slum Dwellers International (SDI), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat, and the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI). The platform responds to a shared need for a dedicated space where policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and communities can access relevant resources to better understand and manage risks in urban areas.

RIA supports African institutions and cities in strengthening their ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to disasters. Through technical support, capacity development, and cooperation with continental and regional partners, the project contributes to improving disaster risk management and promoting more sustainable and inclusive urban development. The creation of Resilience Insight Africa is part of these efforts, providing a practical tool that makes existing knowledge easier to find and use.

Previously, many studies, policy documents, and technical tools related to risk-informed urban development were available only across different websites and organisations. The new hub brings this information together in one place, making it easier for users to access guidance, learn from experience, and apply proven approaches in their own contexts. The platform will continue to expand in future phases, with additional content and features planned.

Resilience Insight Africa is designed for a wide range of users, including government institutions, urban planners, civil society organisations, development partners, and local communities. By improving access to information, the hub helps stakeholders identify risks earlier, make better planning decisions, and strengthen resilience to climate-related and disaster-related threats. The platform is also being developed in close alignment with African Union frameworks to support long-term use across Member States.

Resources on the website are available in English and French and include research reports, policy frameworks, practical planning tools, expert insights, case studies, news updates, and information on events and learning opportunities. The hub will also continue to introduce new features to improve navigation and encourage exchange between users working on resilience across the continent.

By connecting knowledge with practice, Resilience Insight Africa supports a more coordinated approach to building resilient cities in Africa. The platform reflects the joint commitment of partners to ensure that reliable information is accessible to those who need it, so that urban development can be safer, more sustainable, and better prepared for future risks.

Visit the Resilience Insight Africa hub here:
https://www.resilienceinsightafrica.org