The Executive Committee of Africities, which met virtually on February 17, 2021, took this decision after reviewing the preparatory work in progress and taking into account the fact that some regions of the world are still subject to various levels of restrictions, according to a joint statement by the pan-African organization of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) and the Government of Kenya.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, forcing countries to organize themselves to find ways to stop its spread through various strategies such as controlling travel, restricting large gatherings, and recently launching COVID-19 vaccination operations, the statement added. 

The Executive Committee also deliberated on the theme proposed for the Summit, and retained "The role of Africa’s intermediary cities in the implementation of the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063."  

Given the new date of the Summit, the Executive Committee, in collaboration with the various institutional bodies of Africities, will organize the official launch of the Africities site and the opening of registration at preferential rates, on February 28, 2021 in Kisumu, Kenya, concludes the statement.

The Africities summit is the largest democratic gathering organized on the African continent. It brings together the ministers every three years; mayors and leaders of local authorities; representatives of civil society, the private sector, academia and research; national, regional and international financial institutions; development partners; and other stakeholders.       

It offers a unique platform for dialogue on the role of local authorities in the development and unity of Africa, and on the place of decentralization in improving the governance of public affairs in Africa.