Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced both rapid population growth and rapid urbanization over the last few decades. These trends are expected to continue, and by 2050, the population of the region is predicted to double, reaching 2.1 billion, with two in three people in Africa living in cities. This rapid growth is leading to the construction of many new buildings, which create opportunities for Sub-Saharan African countries to make their cities safer, more resilient, green, and inclusive for future generations. In the next few decades, the impacts of climate change on the population and the buildings in which they live and work are expected to be challenging: these impacts include extreme heat, sea level rise, and the increased frequency and severity of storm and flooding. It is critical to act now to improve the safety and resilience of the built environment to counter the increased exposure to climate and disaster risk. Otherwise, the region could be locked into an inefficient and unsustainable development pathway.