Why it's wrong
A blanket label that defines communities by poverty, poor housing, and neglect. It obscures the fact that they are home to millions of workers, families, entrepreneurs, and social networks, and carries deeply stigmatising connotations.
What's actually true
What is often called a 'slum' is usually an informal settlement: a densely populated urban neighbourhood where residents may lack secure tenure or reliable access to services. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than half of the urban population lives in such settlements — they are not marginal to African cities, they are a major part of them.
Don't say · Say instead
“Extreme heat is disrupting work in Africa's slums.”
“Extreme heat is disrupting work in informal settlements across 10 African cities.”
When this might not apply
Some community organisations reclaim "slum" (e.g. Slum Dwellers International). When quoting these groups directly, use the language they use about themselves; default to "informal settlement" otherwise.