How companies can benefit from the growth of cities in emerging markets

In a fascinating report by McKinsey&Company, they advice global companies to refocus their attention to cities rather than (emerging) countries. The growing cities in emerging are creating specific opportunities for all sorts of industries. Some examples, like water provision in Mumbai or babyfood and diapers in Dar Es Alaam, are provided in the slideshow.

Makes sense, but what intrigued me most were the statistics behind this conclusion:

• by 2025, half of global economic growth will come from 440 cities in emerging markets;
• by 2025, 440 emerging market cities will have more households with incomes of $20.000 or above than will the cities in developed economies;
• the contribution of the cities to economic growth of the country will vary from 94% (in China) to 70% in sub-saharan Africa (by comparison, it will be 64% in Europe;
• and last but not least, only 20% of executives are making location decisions at city level... 

Plenty of opportunities ahead... Read more or download the report here.