The nexus between urbanization and economic growth in developing economies, particularly in Africa, remains elusive, attributed to factors such as abundant natural resources driving growth dynamics and high poverty levels prompting rural-urban migration for better opportunities, posing a paradox yet to be fully grasped. Recognizing that structural transformation is a key component of economic growth, this study examines the link between structural change and urbanization across 53 African nations from 2010 to 2020. Using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), instrumental variables (IV) estimators, and quantile regression techniques, our research uncovers a consistently positive relationship between structural change and urbanization. However, the analysis also indicates a troubling positive correlation with corruption. In contrast, democracy seems to have a negative impact on urbanization rates. The presence of natural resources, particularly oil, is found to affect the nature of structural change and urbanization. The findings of this study have several implications for policymakers in Africa. Firstly, fostering structural transformation, particularly through industrialization, should be a key priority for promoting urbanization and economic development. Policies aimed at promoting economic growth and reducing corruption are crucial for fostering sustainable urbanization. Moreover, careful management of natural resource wealth is essential to avoid the adverse effects of the "resource curse" on urban development.