Egypt’s Cairo has overtaken South Africa’s Cape Town to become Africa’s most attractive city for 2025, according to the Africa Report’s second annual ranking of the continent’s top 30 cities.
The list, published early this December, combines survey responses from 7 877 urban residents with data on quality of life, infrastructure, economic activity, and access to essential services.
Leanne de Bassompierre, Business Editor at the Africa Report, said the ranking also factors in foreign direct investment between 2020 and 2023, alongside residents’ perceptions of their cities.
“Cairo’s rise is largely due to its infrastructure projects, the development of a new administrative centre, and growing economic activity. Residents’ feedback on services and livability also played a role,” she explained.
Kigali came in second, praised for its cleanliness and efficient urban services, while Nairobi took third place. Cape Town dropped to fourth amid concerns over rising property prices, uneven service delivery, and the pressures of tourism and the growing influx of digital nomads. Lagos ranked eighth, with other cities in the top ten including Casablanca, Rabat, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Tangier.
The report also noted a widening gap between Francophone and Anglophone cities, largely influenced by the number and type of foreign investment projects. While cities such as Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria saw significant investments, the scale and volume varied compared with other regions, affecting their overall ranking.
Bassompierre acknowledged the difficulty of comparing cities across Africa due to differing demographics, economies, and available data. “While no ranking is perfect, this provides insight into urban livability, investment trends, and the overall attractiveness of African cities,” she said.
The Africa Report’s annual rankings aim to guide policymakers, investors, and residents by highlighting cities that are performing well in terms of infrastructure, economic opportunities, and quality of life.
–ChannelAfrica–
