Africa

Africa’s rapid urbanization, along with its youthful, tech-savvy population and untapped potential, positions the continent as a dynamic environment for the design and architecture industry. With more than 1.4 billion people — many under the age of 25 — and an expanding middle class, demand is growing for projects in hospitality, multi-family residential, aviation, mobility infrastructure, and data centers. The continent is also emerging as a talent-rich hub, and a growing number of “business-ready” cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg are attracting foreign investment in need of modern office space. The coming decades will see Africa become a manufacturing and innovation powerhouse.
What’s Next

A global workforce emerges from Africa’s youth boom.

A fast-growing, tech-savvy, and globally minded young population redefines labor markets on the continent, fueling demand for education, coworking, and digital infrastructure.

The housing deficit is an urgent design challenge.

Africa’s rapid population growth and rising middle class create demand for resilient, mixed-use residential solutions.

African cities emerge as global film hubs.

Global media companies choose African cities for their tax incentives, skilled young talent, and diverse locations, fueling growth in production facilities and creative economies.

Local manufacturing moves in.

Shifting away from raw material export, African nations build manufacturing capacity and logistics hubs to capture more value and leverage their young, tech-savvy workforce.
Notable Projects
A large stadium with a field and a field with people in it.
Al-Ahly Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
A river with boats and buildings around it.
Right to Dream Ghana, Ghana, West Africa
A building with balconies and trees in front of it.
Dignity Care International Hospital, Concept Design , Loburo, Nigeria
insights from the gensler research institute

Africa’s Cities Thrive on Lifestyle and Connectivity

Across major African metros, residents report high satisfaction with shopping, amenities, and social life, signaling strong demand for lifestyle-driven urban environments. Gaps in housing, wages, and environmental quality highlight where investment can directly enhance quality of life.
How satisfied are you with the following aspects of your city?
  • Shopping opportunities
  • Neighborhood amenities
  • Recreation & Entertainment
  • Housing affordability
  • Wage levels
  • Pollution levels
Source: Gensler City Pulse 2025
Notable Areas of Expertise
Thought Leadership
A woman standing in front of a counter with a man behind it.
Blog

More Than Just a Seat: The Lounge as the New Travel Destination

The new airport lounge is less about claiming a seat and more about creating a collection of experiences.
A street with people and buildings on the side.
Blog

Mixed-Use Developments: A Sustainable Blueprint for Urban Growth

High-density mixed-use developments can be a powerful engine for economic growth, resilience, and cultural and socioeconomic cohesion.
A man and a woman sitting on a couch in a room with a large screen and a plant.
Blog

A Multigenerational Workforce Demands Multigenerational Design

Employees over 65 are defying stereotypes and redefining expectations. Organizations that design with them in mind won’t just gain an edge today — they’ll shape the future of work.
A group of people in a large building.
Blog

How Aviation Is Evolving for the Leisure Traveler

Airports are in the midst of a profound transformation. Confronted with aging infrastructure, rapidly advancing technology, and an unprecedented surge in leisure travel, these once utilitarian spaces are being reimagined as destinations in their own right.
A group of people at a park.
Blog

Climate Change Is Threatening What We Love About Cities

If cities hope to thrive in the face of climate change, they’ll need to balance emotional connection with environmental resilience.
Al-Ahly Stadium aerial rendering
Blog

Al-Ahly Stadium Brings Fans Closer to the Action

Facing height and capacity restrictions, an innovative design solution turned these challenges into an opportunity to design a year-round, landmark sports venue.
A group of people walking outside of a building.
Blog

Urban Air Mobility Is Here. Here’s How Cities Can Adapt.

Advanced air mobility is ready for launch. The next crucial step: preparing buildings and infrastructure to get this sustainable mobility solution off the ground.
A group of people in a large building.
Blog

Trends to Watch Shaping the Future of Airports and Aviation

Gensler’s aviation leader discusses what’s next for the future of air travel and how airports can cater to a new type of leisure traveler.
A city with tall buildings.
Blog

The 20 Cities Attracting the Most Newcomers

New city residents often leave within five years. To remain successful, these magnetic cities must also engage and retain their new populations.
People walking on a path in a park with trees and flowers.
Blog

A New Vision for Urban Design in Tropical Climates

Through thoughtful, climate-responsive design, seemingly adverse conditions can become a distinct advantage for tropical cities.
Chart, radar chart.
Research

City Pulse 2025

Gensler surveyed 33,000 people across 65 cities to uncover what makes a city magnetic — how it attracts new residents and keeps them wanting to stay.
A person walking in a server room.
Blog

How the AI Gold Rush Is Influencing Data Center Design Trends

Gensler’s Critical Facilities leaders discuss how the AI boom is influencing the shape, speed, and operations of data center design.
A group of people in a room with tables and chairs.
Blog

How Immersive Food and Beverage Experiences Are Redefining Hospitality

Food and beverage spaces have unique potential as experiential destinations that authentically convene community in a way that is familiar, universal, and transformative.
A person walking in a large room.
Blog

Smart Design for Smart Manufacturing: Five Ways Manufacturing Has Evolved

In a market poised for significant growth, these markers of change present opportunities in both the near and long-term.
A row of computer servers.
Blog

Data Keeps Us Going:
How Data Centers Power Society

In today’s digital age, data, and data centers, have become as essential a utility as electricity or water.
A park with a water park.
Blog

A Football Academy Designed to Empower Youth in Ghana

Right to Dream’s Ghana campus is a best-in-class facility that sets a benchmark for football academies everywhere.
A woman smiling for the camera.
Blog

Gensler Voices: Tobi Sobowale on The Intersection of Art and Design

Tobi Sobowale, a architectural assistant for Gensler London, shares how mentorship can empower and educate.
Chaffey Medical Sciences High School aerial rendering
Blog

5 Strategies for Heat Resilient Design

Here are five strategies we need to embrace to create heat resilient design solutions for the coming years.
Germany
Saudi Arabia
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Explore architecture and design trends in Design Forecast 2026.
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