About Us
Who we are
Africa Municipal Lab is being established as an independent, nonprofit, Pan-African research, policy and municipal innovation institution.
Its proposed model combines public-interest research with advisory services, professional education and university partnerships. Our intended role is to help African municipalities turn evidence into better decisions and implementation — connecting municipal governments, researchers and communities through work that is useful locally and informative across borders.
Our vision
Inclusive, peaceful, financially sustainable, climate-resilient and economically vibrant African cities and towns.
Our mission
To strengthen municipal capability through credible evidence, locally designed reforms, professional learning and practical innovation that improves urban governance and services.
Our approach
From local priority to shared lessons
Each engagement follows the same cycle, adapted to the municipality’s responsibilities and resources.
Begin with a priority
Start from a challenge the municipality itself has named.
Establish a baseline
Understand institutional, financial and social conditions.
Design with partners
Shape a response together with local partners.
Test and evaluate
Pilot at a manageable scale and assess the results.
Share the lessons
With enough detail for others to judge whether to adapt them.
Guiding principles
Monitoring will track implementation, adoption and municipal outcomes, with clear limits on what can be attributed to AML support.
- Research independence
- Political neutrality
- Local ownership
- Public accountability
- Responsible data use
Continental reach
Every region, every size of municipality
AML’s mandate covers Northern, Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, including island municipalities. We welcome major cities, intermediate cities, small towns and peri-urban local authorities.
How partners are selected
- Municipal demand
- Institutional commitment
- Feasibility
- Data readiness
- Safety
- Opportunities for learning
- RegionNorthern Africa
- RegionWestern Africa
- RegionCentral Africa
- RegionEastern Africa
- RegionSouthern Africa
- RegionIsland municipalities
Leadership and governance
A structure built for independence
Governance arrangements will protect research independence and provide financial and ethical oversight. A lean operational team would coordinate research, advisory services, data, training and partnerships.
Governing board
Strategic, financial and ethical oversight.
Executive director
Leads the institution and its operational team.
Scientific advisory council
Guards research quality, methods and independence.
Municipal partners forum
Brings municipal voices into AML’s priorities.
Help shape the Africa Municipal Lab
Bring a municipal challenge, research question or partnership idea.