Why are African Sociologists interested in studying urban societies when

majority of its population live in Rural Communities

 There is no country in the world that does not have a city. Bedsides,
previous small communities that were rural in nature are rapidly developing
into urban conglomerates. In 1800, only 3% of the world’s population lived
in cities; in 2008 it was 50%, and in 2050 it will be about 70%. In Africa, as
at 1990, the number of cities doubled in number moving from 3 300 to 7 600
(African Development Fund, 2022). It also important to note that since the
1950s especially after independence, many African cities and towns have
been growing more than 10% per annum. This means African cities are the
most rapidly growing cities in the world and this needs to studies.
 The process of rapid urbanization which the world has witnessed since the
industrial revolution has brought with it many social problems that
sociologists are expected to address and provide solutions for. The UN
Habitat (2008) opined that despite African cities generating about 55 percent
of the continent’s total GDP, a massive 43 percent of its urban populations
live below the poverty line. It also sad to note that urban environmental
problems claim an estimated one million African lives each year (UN
Habitat, 2008). Other social problems confronting cities in Africa include
increase in urban slum, social unrest, unemployment, crime etc. These
problems need to studied and solutions provided.
 Cities are centres of civilization. Kingdoms and empires in Africa had
capitals going back more than 1,000 years. Some cities were also local or
international religious or trade centres. Some were even used for tourism by
 people who had holiday villas in and around the city. Ancient Egypt,
considered a cradle of civilization, witnessed some of history's earliest
advancements in writing, agriculture, urbanization, organized religion, and
central government.
 Cities are centres technology and innovation. In many parts of the world
including Africa, cities are growing exponentially and becoming centers of
gravity for power, technology, innovation, and diplomacy. Cities are
experiencing exponential population growth because of the rise of urban
economies and the potential for jobs and need for workers. This economic
growth is coming from two critical economic trends: innovation in and rapid
development of the tech sector and the expansion of the service sector,
particularly the financial sector.