Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to question the extent to which Sub-Saharan African cities are
progressing towards promoting pro-poor economies through pro-poor tourism (PPT). It specifically
examines how African cities are resilient towards attaining sustainable urban tourism destinations in light of
high urbanization.
Design/methodology/approach – The methodological framework is interpretive in nature and qualitative in
an operational form. It uses meta-synthesis to evaluate the causal relationships observed within Sub-Saharan
African pro-poor economies to enhance PPT approaches, using Accra, Ghana, Johannesburg, South Africa,
and Harare, Zimbabwe, as case studies.
Findings – Tourism development in Sub-Saharan Africa has been dominantly underpinned by neoliberal
development strategies which threaten the sustainability of tourism in African cities.
Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to three Sub-Saharan African countries. Further
studies may need to be done in other developing countries.
Practical implications – It argues for good governance through sustainability institutionalization which
strengthens the regulative mechanisms, processes and organizational culture. Inclusive tourism approaches
that are resilient-centered have the potential to promote urban tourism in Sub-Saharan African cities. These
findings contribute to the building of strong and inclusive Institutions for Sustainable Development in the
Sub-Saharan African cities to alleviate poverty.
Social implications – These findings contribute to the building of strong and inclusive institutions for
sustainable development in the Sub-Saharan African cities to alleviate poverty.
Originality/value – The “poor” are always within the communities, and it takes a community to minimise the
impact of poverty among the populace. The study is conducted at a pertinent time when most African
government’s development policies are pro-poor driven. Though African cities provide opportunities of
growth, they are regarded as centres of high inequality.