African cities are undergoing rapid and profound transformations, marked by accelerated urbanization, infrastructural restructuring, changes in social practices, and growing tensions over access to urban resources. This issue of African Cities Journal offers an integrated reading of these dynamics based on empirical studies conducted in several African urban contexts (Cameroon, Senegal, Morocco, Benin, and Burundi). Using interdisciplinary approaches, the contributions analyze the relationships between infrastructure, the environment, public policy, and the daily lives of city dwellers. This introductory article aims to provide a scientific overview of the issue, explain its objectives, and present the specific contributions of each article.