Urban centers Urban centers
in tropical Africa in north Atlantic
High religious adherence Low religious adherence
Welfare associations the norm State social security the norm
Small urbanite population Predominantly urbanite
population
Strong attachment Little or no attachment
to ancestral homes to ancestral homes
High unemployment rates Low or medium unemployment
rates
Small industrial sector Large industrial sector
Administered Administered
by central government by autonomous authorities
Poor infrastructure Sophisticated infrastructure
Huge gap between richest Small gap
and poorest between richest and poorest
Low telephone connectivity High telephone connectivity
Low electric connectivity High electric connectivity
Low water connectivity High water connectivity
Poor transportation Advanced transportation
infrastructure infrastructure
Shanty housing Permanent housing
for the majority for the majority
Low schooling for the majority High schooling for the majority
Low monthly income High monthly income
for the majority for the majority
Poor medical care Advanced medical care
for the majority for the majority
Poor leisure industry Advanced leisure industry
It is difficult to predict the future of Africa’s urban informal set-
tlements. Some countries (such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Malawi and the
Ivory Coast) have tried to establish new capital cities, where moder-
nity can become the mode of life. It is instructive to note that the
94 Responsible Leadership : Global Perspectives