By 2040, it is estimated that Africa’s population will reach 1 billion people. In 2050, the African continent alone will generate 50% of global growth. This demographic and economic explosion will have several consequences on urbanization, mobility, management of energy resources, health, food sufficiency, etc. To cope with these, Sèmè City is building a smart ecocity, that relies on the collaboration between students, entrepreneurs, and researchers to create sustainable, strategic, and affordable innovations. This is the definition of « Innovation Made In Africa » for sustainable and inclusive development.
The future ecocity is located in a peri-urban area between Cotonou (economic capital of Benin), Porto-Novo (administrative capital of Benin) and Lagos (economic capital of Nigeria with more than 20 million inhabitants), at the crossroads of the main international communication axes of West Africa.
The Sèmè City ecocity is being built in successive phases over 200 hectares and will be operational by the end of 2021. It is thus fully in line with the concept of an African smart city, using technological innovations while integrating the assets and particularities of its environment.
Particular attention is paid to economic, social, and environmental issues through urban development integrated into the realities of the site and the involvement of start-ups and SMEs:
