Most people probably couldn’t name 30 cities in Africa let alone the 30 best cities in Africa! Some people even think Africa is just one big country but I won’t use any names! All I know is that Africa is my favorite continent to travel within and I have taken 26 separate trips to Africa and visited every country in Africa and literally every major city with the exception of Tripoli, Libya. So I think I have some authority to rank the 30 best cities in Africa.
Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa
Africa is tough. If you’ve traveled around Africa to more than the corner countries (Egypt, Morocco, South Africa) or if you been more than the package tour/safari areas like Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia) and East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya) then you should agree. Africa is tough! In fact, only one African city made my 30 best cities in the world list!
With my friend Henry and his family in Douala, Cameroon
Africa is my favorite place to travel because of the unknown factor. You never know what’s going to happen each day. I love that! However, you also must distinguish between comfortable like Cape Town and a place like Abidjan, Ivory Coast; which is a good city but you never feel comfortable there.
Antananarivo, Madagascar
While Cape Town is an undeniable #1, it get’s really dicey from there and I could’ve gone a lot of ways with this list. Here is the criteria I used to pick this list:
Visiting a school in Asmara, Eritrea
– I must have visited the city at least once.
– Countries could have more than one entry if applicable.
– It must be a world capital or major city and I distinguish major cities from towns like Timbuktu, Moshi or Agadez for instance.
– I did not include any beach resort towns like Sharm El Sheikh, Diani Beach or Hurghada.
– I did not include any islands with the exception of Madagascar because it is a generally accepted part of Africa and Antananarivo is a nice, big city.
– I based all selections on my experiences in the city and are my experiences alone.
Here are the 30 best cities in Africa!
30. Douala, Cameroon
29. Libreville, Gabon
28. Monrovia, Liberia
27. Nairobi, Kenya
26. Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
25. Freetown, Sierra Leone
24. Lusaka, Zambia
23. Bujumbura, Burundi
22. Maputo, Mozambique
21. Kampala, Uganda
20. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
19. Antananarivo, Madagascar
18. Tunis, Tunisia
17. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16. Bamako, Mali
15. Asmara, Eritrea
14. Dakar, Senegal
13. Durban, South Africa
12. Tangier, Morocco
11. Cairo, Egypt
10. Algiers, Algeria
9. Windhoek, Namibia
8. Marrakech, Morocco
7. Abidjan, Ivory Coast
6. Kigali, Rwanda
5. Accra, Ghana
4. Luxor, Egypt
3. Johannesburg, South Africa
2. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1. Cape Town, South Africa
It would have been nice to see a little blurb about each city as to why you liked it (if that’s possible, maybe there’s too many things). For example, I’m familiar with most of the cities in the top 10, but what was compelling about Accra? Or Kigali?
I once asked him to add hyperlinks from his blog to another one of his earlier “Top 30” lists for Top 30 World Capitals or something like that. Not sure how many of these cities have gotten a proper blog write up in the past, but I agree, Scott, that adding hyperlinks to these Top 30 cities do make sense!
But yes, just ask Lee if can hyperlink some of these places on his Top 30 lists, and I am sure he will be happy to oblige when he gets time.
ya I have written about most if not all of the cities…I didn’t add them for whatever reason…mainly bc it takes forever! But feel free to search for any of the cities to get my take
I would just like to know, how do you have time to travel soooo much? Do you travel for your occupation? How is this all possible? Nice story tho…
Mr scout what do u mean by what is compelling by Accra
I m against your thoughts because i can t see lagos in nigeria or kinshasa in dr.congo
Do you think you could add Lagos
No need for lagos, look like lagos isn’t Africa anymore it’s European
Before anything else, I’m a white guy like the writer but the difference is I reside in Africa and understand better. Lee you are rating the cities according to your own ‘experience’ which is totally wrong to use your own feelings to rate the entire city but at least if it were some tourist attractions, I would feel you. Lee if you had a bad experience in Nigeria that doesn’t make it’s cities bad because Abu Jah, Nigeria is one of the economically powerful in Africa. From my experience in Africa, is it really a good idea to rate a city according to the developed CBDs ? It’s a big no ! When an average citizen can not afford decent accommodation we can not call that a best city. Come to Alexandra just a few meters from the “Richest Mile Of Africa”, Sandton then you will understand my point. When we are now looking to comfy living I think Nigeria will top in Africa As You can never compare what you will see in a Nigerian Village and what you will see after some 15km from Cape Town CBD because remember a city includes CBD and Residential Phases. In terms of a well connected city, Johannesburg/Gauteng is second to none, so it’s a matter of weighing the pros and cons. Thank you Lee for your rating as I was also surprised on how the former colonies were successful in dividing Africa lolx. It’s very funny when folks try to liken their cities with London. If you have not visited some of the cities, then I think It was good for you to wait before you viist the rest of Africa because a lot is happening and every country is battling for it.
I have only heard of like 5 of these cities, LOL
Nice list Lee. I have travelled much of Africa for my work and I must say that Addis is my favorite city in Africa.
Can’t really argue with this list, I haven’t been to 90% of the cities but Cape Town had to be #1. Fun list, thanks.
Abidjan represent! I have actually been there and loved it!
I guess you will expect different reactions from people for two reasons: most have not seen other places to even compare fairly. Secondly there is misconception about the criteria used for the comparison.
Addis Ababa is # 2. Nicee
I’ve been to nine of these. So a lot more to go. Great list.
I love reading these articles and your blog posts. But one thing I just noticed that puzzled me. Your list of places you’ve been is missing Equatorial Guinea which is fact a sovereign nation.
Jesse, it is very confusing because the TCC recently split the country of Equatorial Guinea into two parts of Bata and Malabo…I have been to Malabo, the capital but there is a small exclave on the mainland that I didn’t visit…it’s stupid but they changed the list so I changed it to reflect their changes but I have still 100% been there.
Great to see Kampala – my city featured here 🙂
Much as Kampala is ranked among Africa’s most safe cities to travel, we urge you to take the same precautions you would in any other country, international city or town, particularly if sight-seeing in urban areas.
Most parts of Uganda can be safely visited by tourists. Take common-sense precautions (not walking alone in deserted areas at night). Valuable should be kept out of sight and vehicles locked. Don’t carry your important and portable items in the backpack.
I look forward to seeing you all in our beautiful country 🙂
I also LOVED Addis, great African city. Heading back to Nairobi in a few weeks, which is always fun. Have you been to Arusha? A great little, but growing, city – home base to Tanzania’s safari industry. BTW loved hearing from you during the opening session of TBEX last weekend!
addis, Ethiopia on the list, great
glad to see my city on your lists. addis, thank you
I have only been to Johannesburg, Accra, and dipped into Cape Town on your list.
I reckon from another of your posts that you consider Lagos, Nigeria to be the worst place on the planet. I do disagree because Lagos is a VERY fun city. It is engaging, busy and extremely commercial.
That said, my main comment on this list is, “Have you been to Abuja or Calabar? Both are in Nigeria.
Such a misleading title! It really should be called “My favorite African cities”. I actually thought for a minute that there was going to be some objective way of ranking them.
Any ranking of cities should be based on something. If its facilities, infrastructure, night life, tourism or even eating experience then Cities like Bujumbura or Kigali will never rank higher than Luanda, Angola or Nairobi, Kenya. If you based your ranking on beauty then Lamu or Mombasa should have been somewhere.
addis number two its great ive been there for a year and i love it
Top 30 best cities in Africa and Lagos,Nigeria ain’t even included? I reckon you got issues with Nigeria. you’re not qualified to write any list of ranks.
No calabar,no abuja and no akwa ibom this guy must be sick
I bet u gat a problem with Nigeria, coz everyone knows abuja, Nigeria is one of the most beautiful city in Africa.
but you didn’t mention it. well I don’t think you should be writing this kind off list coz your not qualified.
sorry I’m neither upset nor a hater I’m just being truthful.
Everyone knows??? Are u serious u Nigerians should get off your high horse
Ur article is laughable…No single Nigerian city,,,back off,,Scam
héé this is algiers in the photo isn’t ?? i live right here, you welcome man.
This rating is very wrong, where is Lagos, Abuja and Calabar. the rater is not a traveller so he lacks the ability to rate correctly.
hey bro rewrite your list cause it’s very wrong. Africans or people that have really travelled around Africa will agree with me that Calabar and Abuja should have been among top five. bro if you have issues with Nigeria just write it there “Nigeria city should have been among top five but i have issues with them ” it will be understandable
Thank you for listing your 30 Best Cities in the World. No mention of oriented or fully accessible to people with disabilities. That’s why no interest in second best cities. I hope I will find a few accommodating. I like your adventures. Be safe.
What criteria did you use to come up with that list ? I think you are a bit biased,I’ve been to some of those cities esp Lusaka,what’s so fascinating about Lusaka? The fact that Zimbabwe is currently going through economic challenges has made people to think it’s a horrible place to be in,ask yourself why a lot of Europeans esp the British loved to visit Zimbabwe? I would personally say Bulawayo is one of the friendliest and most peaceful cities,not only in Africa but the whole world. Harare isn’t bad too,I fail to understand why not even one of them couldn’t make it in YOUR top 30. Anyway it’s YOUR top 30 not everyone’s
even d countries that Dangote of Nigeria one of the world richest declared free food for indegenes sometime ago also have finer cities than Abuja,Calabar & Akwaibom, guy u never talk wet in dey vex u- just confess OK!
Nairobi is No 27? REALLY? like REALLY? comes after brazzaville, kigali, bujumbura? Where’s Abuja? what crap!
the person who did this report was corrupt…Nairobi comes third after capetown n Cairo
I have been to a few of the cities mentioned, though Cape Town is not among them.
I have no qualms about Adis Ababa because the people are really good to visitors and the place is very safe no matter the time.
But I take exception to Cairo, the people are rude, manipulative and the streets very noisy.
What!!!!! guy I think you don’t know what you you just did,, you listed Africa’s top 30 and There is no Lagos,Abuja or Calabar….lol…you can’t even list top 5 and Abuja won’t be in it…and every one in Africa will agree that Lagos,Abuja and Calabar has to be there.
Why would calabar follow? Lagos maybe among the top 10 then abj among top 5.. But calabar?? Make we calm down abeg. We to dey show ourselves
Also there is no Luanda, Porto Louis, Agadir,,,….well anybody can wake up and type something for anyone to read..
Well! can i say this impressive? Where the hell is lagos and Abuja?
this must be a joke i want to believe even Ibadan(the largest city in west africa ) and one of the ancient in Nigeria is not there….It is obvious you have not been anywhere man.
ENUGU, ABUJA and CALABAR remain d most Tourist Attractive in West Africa and d most peaceful west african cities…hmmm u beta reconsider ur rating ka m gwakwa gi oooh!
I would like to say that it is incomplete to ignore cities like Abuja and Lagos from 30 best cities in Africa. The poster do not know Africa yet!
This guy is just a fraud, and this list is an unfunny joke. You can’t make a top 5 best cities in Africa without Abuja. You can’t make a top 10 without Luanda and Calabar. You can’t make a top 30 and there’s no Lagos! And Nairobi is 27? Like really? Nairobi should atleast be in top 20. And you place these junk cities (that can mostly be best called slum towns) to deceive people? Hey, people ignore this guy, he’s not been anywhere!
Henry Nyumah.Octomber 10, 2016 at 2:13 pm
I will like to said it is complete disrespect to cities like Lagos of Nigeria and Abidjan of Ivory Coast to not being mentioned in the list above.
Yeap, i think my fellow Nigerians are talking the truth, because Lagos most have to be involve. And it dos not mean selfishness, That is just the truth.
Abuja and Lagos are dam good places with great infrastructoral buildings,how ever rate this has 10/100 F9
To me Lagos, port, calabar, uyo, Benin and Abuja all in Nigeria are among de list
guy sid he included his experience alone. and thats what it.
Wow. Douala, Libreville, and Ouagadougou are sh*tholes. I’d put Yaounde and Lome ahead of them for sure, even Cotonou. I’d also move Kampala up the list, it’s pretty nice, for an African city that is.
You re a complete novice in the area of voyage and ranking. How can Lagos, Calabar, Abuja and Darkar not make the list?? You re a politician then and please stop making a fool of yourself.
Common……Abuja’s got to be among the first 5….Luanda, Darka, Lagos definitely have to be among the top 20 as well…..
I’ve not been to Abuja
you should….its really nice over there….lagos is more like the NYC of Nigeria…..but its fun over there too.
Addis can the most beauty from johannesburg?
@Lee Abbamonte, u really hv 2 visit Abuja nd Lagos…
I think you should travel more to a country like Nigeria where you are going to see beautiful cities like Lagos, Abuja and the rest of them
Though I understand that you have never been there so you have to travel there, then rewrite your list
Where is abuja, lagos and port cot. Pls you still have work to do
this guy is a joker.Maputo?? you are crazy its not even in top50.these are ppl who portray Africa as backward as it was never in 50yrs ago.are you an African? ?
I think the poster don’t know what his doing,Lagos,abuja and many good places in nigeria…abeg try make u reach naija I believe say ur new here
Is the list ranked in order? coz Nairobi would be near the top 10 in Africa.
Nonesense!!, where is Abuja, Lagos, Calabar, nobody should believe this list, the writer is a faker and a novice traveller, list witheld untill properly completed!
let’s be candid pls.though i’m a Nigerian too.u nigerians are indeed right for ur comments towards the absence of only lagos and abuja among the metropolitan cities in africa.but do u kno that a city could be rated for some feautures like,infrastructural facilities,tourism,economic factors.believe me that some cities has been existing bfor abuja and lagos.but i’m proud of my fifth oil producer in d world,most populated and largest economy strenght in africa,producer of the most richest man in africa.producer of one of the metropolitan cities in the world.i love nigeria,my father land.
where is Abuja, Lagos,Calabar,Akwa_ibom, Even Ondo state, u
r sick Bro _go get help
Harare? Bulawayo? Please lets not let political situations cloud our judgements
Why Kinshasa my capital city is not mentioned on list.
Nairobi should be in top 5. Kampala is not even a city its a town
Accra,Ghana among top5,like dat b’cs I’m frm gh but I think Abuja,nijah should b among the top 5.
Yeah am glad to see my city Dar es Salaam the name it self symbolize how peace is Tanzania!!! Am a Tanzanian welcome home guyz
This is a fake blog…this person has never been to nairobi or lagos…they shld be in top 5 …..u can confirm in all other blogs
I swear kampala aint a city….its jst a steet????????????
Economic challenges doesnt affect the beautifullness of the city.Harare is good
Nigerians you are too emotional for nothing, the list is right, You probably don,t live in your own country and have never visited the rest of African cities to compare yourselves. Yes Lagos and Abuja might be nice on their own accord, but in comparison they could not be in the first 30 cities… get real my fellow kinsmen. My Nigerian friends admitted to me that you really have riches but your cities don’t look that good. Lee did a great Job. KUDOS!!
I am Kenyan, i had your mindset until i visited Nigeria. There is no place like Abuja in Kenya. Besides Nairobi no Kenyan city compares to Lagos or Calabar. Just my opinion based on my first hand experience.
really guys theres no need to use abusive words to respond….he clearly stating his own opinion on matters…he has the right.
anyway you try your best by compared african cities to make the list but your research is zero to everybody where is abuja and lagos in the list you have alot to do. you must not write nonsense again. Warning!
personally I think this list is right guys come on Lagos got the most crapy infrastructure I ever seen …
deal with it
Cape town might be the finest city in the continent,God can have it, you can’t compare Accra to Port-Harcourt, gosh no Calabar,men you are pathetic, Lagos is in Africa’s top ten cities yet can’t see a glimpse, wat a mess? I Don’t think you know anything about Nigeria. Abuja is the second finest, pretiest and coolest city in Africa.where is it in your list, the first day i visit Abuja,i was lost at the sight of Metiama. Accra worth not top ten,while Adis Ababa ought to be fourth…#1 cape twon, #2 Abuja #3 Johannesburg #4 Adis Ababa, sorry men your list have too many mistakes, you list them in the way you saw them in movies, sorry Nigerians doesn’t act in Abuja,and while acting in Lagos they use under developed places, next time make resarch before uploading a shit like this in the Net
waw all Africa cities are ours . Addis is my best
Accra is the best one to visit. Many tourist attractions for fun and having good time. It’s a must visit place.
Kumasi Ghana is my nicest city in Africa
no lagos, abuja, calabar and anambra in top 20, guy u must be sick
Asmera is best ciyt in Africa !!
this is nonsense, even a country like Ghana who only have one airport is among the list, this is a fake list, it’s untrue, unfounded and unacceptable. Naija I rep
Funny! How can a small country like Ghana have numerous international airports as compared to a very vast and huge Nigeria. However there r several local airports in Ghana. Logically and pragmatically make your opinion next time Favour
Lee, i think you need to revisit africa one more time.
Lee, why is Abuja, Lagos, Uyo and Calabar is missing in your list? All this cities is in Nigeria
well arreged
Nairobi is the best,Hass Towers coming up in upper hill and when complete,it will be Africa,s new roof.Double decker road in progress and already headquarter of almost any multinational that wants to set foot in Africa.Nairobi!!!!
Sincerely speaking Mr. Lee had tried, but I’m sure he had not visited all African Countries. He’d just assumed and approximated. The matter of fact is that ABUJA , Nigeria should make the 1st 3. In fact, Nigeria alone can make the 1st 30. To my greatest surprise is seeing KAMPALA in the list. What a damn!! I don’t think Kampala could make the 1st 50. I am a Nigerian currently in Kampala. Sorry to say, Wuse Zone alone is more beautiful than Kampala. I must say that the Blogger had confessed that he’d not visited the Giant of Africa where we have Abuja,Lagos,Port Harcourt,Kano,Kaduna,Calabar,etc…..
I am not biased. You can try it for yourself, though I don’t know the scenario you used in the rating. I am assuring you that once you visit a place like Abuja, you will never want to leave it…. It is extremely beautiful and well planned.. Just google the name and see the Image results. I have never seen a single street in Kampala and Cotonou that can compete with Wuse, Abuja and I can even swear. Also, in Abuja, a single lane of the road can accomodate 4 cars at once….. I have to pause here and urge you to please visit Nigeria and I swear you shall update this list.
my fellow nigerians, let’s give Lee a second chance since he admits not visiting Abuja before. But i believe when ever he comes to nigeria and visits lagos, abuja and calabar, u will definately see changes in his next ratings.
Hi Muhammad and thanks for being level headed! I didn’t include Abuja on this list because I have never been to Abuja or any city in Nigeria other than Lagos where I had a terrible experience. This is why I didn’t include Lagos on this list. I understand it is the biggest city in Africa and many people love it. However, this list was based on my own travels and my own experiences. That said, I did not have a good experience in Lagos, in fact it was terrible. I do look forward to coming back to Nigeria sometime soon and giving it another chance and I have a good friend who now lives in Lagos who begs me to come visit and again, soon enough I will. Thanks again for your level headed comment and I hope to be back soon and change my mind for the next list!
mr. Lee pls try to come to nigeria, and by the time u visits lagos, abuja &calabar, i believe u will come out with a different list in ur next ratings.
Mr lee. Abuja will make first in your list when you come to Nigeria.
To rate a bubbling city the main things that you consider are public amenities like electricity and water supply with general circumstances. i agree that Nigeria people are great welcoming folks with nice savoring dishes but government need to do much more on public amenities to attract visitors and investors especially electricity supply. Tourists do not enjoy blackout and sound of generators. This particular fact always make Nigeria get poor rating for tourist destination.
This list is whack…….where do you put cities like lagos and abuja?….or are u anti-nigerian.
Dude Nairobi no 27? We’re you born yesterday?
Clearly you’ve not been to Mombasa. But that’s fine.
This is interesting, but dnt feel bad guys, i think all you also have to do is to visit atleast over 10 cities not supporting ur city coz it is where you stay, and dn\’t compare two cities because they are are the only ones you have visited, and mind you this list is based on a personal experience in these cities, look at things like amenities, cleanliness, hospitality, language, security, freedom, life(both day and night) some cities are even restricted on being out at night like bt in Kampala it z ur choice to sleep, check the hospitality man……Lee thanks anyways for the ranking, I think the guys in Nigeria relax another list is yet to be issued
The guy is ok, remember he made a research basing on his own criteria so lets not judge him too much,
Hi guys, lets appriciate his work, we all know that his rating is by his own personel research..even me i prefare port harcourt and calabar to lagos. So lets wait for his new update. Thanks Lee, but so many cities a awfuly ranked like Nairobi
Dint knw Kampala was such a big deal to de Nigerians!!!!!!
I love my fellow Nigerians. Predictable as hell cause I knew this would happen. Yet always right. Good people.
i dont even understand dis rating. UYO city should have made the top 5 and even abuja.
What about Lagos in nigeria. am not happy for not seeing dat lovely city there
If the guy is based on security then Accra should be first or second on this lists. Accra is peaceful city in Africa
were did u keep d great ABUJA?? even lagos, calabar,uyo, even enugu. u gotta be kiddin. cape town is d best for sure then ABUJA. i know lagos has its floors!! but trust me its a unique city, u will get used to it, but it can be very terrible. lol, lagos is just like our
own new york!!. pls visit Nigeria once more. A strong black OIL rich nation with largest GDP in africa.
plsss google photos of ABUJA and see for urself. mind u its d only well planned city in africa and its plans are STRICTLY adhered to. planned into 3 phases only one has been developed. by the time to two phases are opened for development cape town will loose its position to abuja.
I have not been to Abuja so I cannot include on this list
Am not sure thant rank is in order imagine Abuja or Lagos in Nigeria is not there that list must be partial
The only thing thats going to make this list great, unbiased and appreciable is when Abuja is ranked second to cape town.this is like a list of African richest men without Dangote, and Mike..is like a list of african most populous cities without lagos, kano and Ibadan, is just like ranking 30 longest bridges in Africa without 3rd mainland bridge. The list is ranked like there is no country called Nigeria, If kampala, freetown, Accra can make the list why not Lagos and Abuja. Did you really visit the Lagos island, Victoria Island, Banana Island, Badagery, Ikeja and even Maryland. all in Lagos, i dont think so, maybe you where only on the mainland like surulele, or yaba. Cos Lagos is the fastest developing city in Nigeria. I’m not saying we are dictating for you but 30 best African Cities without Abuja and Lagos is a scrab. Thats why most Nigerians are angry and upset. If a person ranks world best 30 cities without New york and Paris how would you look at such a person. mind you almost all Nigerian films were soothed in Festac Lagos…mhen dis one sef na yawa oh..e dey lik mango mango
Haha really Harare is not mentioned what ,,,,Harare is only surpassed by Johannesburg ,Capetown ,Durban ,Pretoria ,in terms of development and infrastructure in Southern Africa ,,,,in East Africa Harare is at same level with Nairobi ,,,,,as for some cities mentioned there its a lie ,,,,, Harare is in top 10 ,,,even Bulawayo Zimbabwe’s second city is far much developed than any other capitals mentioned in that list ,,,also considering that Harare and Bulawayo have not been developed for some past 15 years now due to economic hardships
What about Harare that List is biased towards ,,,political or likeness of the country ,Harare is far much developed than those cities mentioned ,,only South African cities of Johannesburg ,Capetown ,Durban ,Pretoria are better than Harare ,Nairobi ,Djibouti ,Cairo ,Port Louis ,must have been listed better
Nhai hako iwe ..wonder why Harare was left out
Lee Abbamonte you really need to visit Abuja and Calabar in Nigeria… When you do am very sure you are going to update the list.
I look forward to it sometime soon!
1. Cape Town
2 Abuja
3. Johannesburg
4.Nairobi
5 Addis Ababa
6. Lagos
7 Kinshasha
8 Abidjan
9 calabar
10. Harare
11. Marrakech
12. Pretoria
13. Tunis
14. Lusaka
15 Cairo
16. Algiers
17. Durban
18. Accra
19. Dar es salam
20. Uyo
21. Antananarivo
22 Porthacout
23. Bamako
24 Konkry
25. Dakar
26 Windhoek
27. Maputo
28. Tangiers
29. Kigali
30. Asmara
Yes this is better
Heey guy, what makes u think that Pothacot is better than Yaounde or Douala???? I know how u Nigerians can be super patriotic to Nigeria alone forgeting that we africans should be more patriotic tato mother Africa. I live with many Nigerians here in Cameroon and I know how they can react when u talk of Nigeria.
30 top best cities in Africa. This may not be perfect, but its better than Lee’s list
Am Kenyan but omitting Lagos was more of ignorant. Nairobi, Cairo, Johannesburg and Lagos should be ranked top 5 and mind you, Nairobi is going to beat all these,fast growing
Even Harare should be on the list
Seriously nigerians take it easy am a nigerian i have no doubt dan 2 say if he cums ere he is gonna luv it. So Lee just give ere a try. Nigerians luv deir country 2 b in famous tinz
Seriously nigerians take it easy am a nigerian i have no doubt dan 2 say if he cums ere he is gonna luv it. So Lee just give ere a try. Nigerians luv deir country 2 b in famous tinz
Harare is like London ,,most of it was built by Britain and most by Zimbabweans ,,,,,Bulawayo is like Manchester ,,,Zimbabwean cities are like British cities just like South African cities , please rewrite your list ,,south Africa’s Johannesburg ,Pretoria ,Durban ,Capetown ,Port Elizabeth ,,,,Zimbabwe’s Harare and Bulawayo ,,must have been in top 10 of that list ,including ,,Addis Ababa ,Cairo ,Nairobi ,Port Louis , Victoria , Djibouti ,Tunis ,Algiers , Rabat , Abidjan ,could have been put @ a better position ,,, anyway its your list but don’t just list without much research ,, consider infrastructure developments , planning of cities ,,consider ,,airports ,stadiums ,hotels ,,transport ,,housing ,,universities ,schools ,hospitals ,, roads , , CBD planning plus more
Favour stop hating….! You know Accra is far far better than those cities you mentioned from Nigeria. I have been to Lagos before and gush you see chain of beggars ,mad men with all due respect to them lined up the street. Filth has engulfed most part of the city with noisy motorists like okada workers everywhere. Public transport is worst as people get packed in small vehicle like bunch of wood.Power outages the usual norm making the city is very dark at night with armed robbery a daily meal over there
Compared that to Ghana, Ghana has the best shopping malls in West Africa and the biggest for that matter,the best roads in West Africa with the iconic Nkrumah interchange the biggest in West Africa,the best schools in West Africa, best hospitals in West Africa and currently Ghana has snatched the aviation hub from your country with two massive international airports in Accra and tamale and two other local airport in Kumasi and Takoradi. ..most Nigerians are running to Ghana for better amenities they don’t get in Nigeria. A popular journalists was quoted as saying on Tvc news “Accra is like little London now”
1 Capetown ( south Africa ) 2 Johannesburg ( south africa ) 3 Durban ( south africa ) 4 Pretoria ( south africa ) 5 Cairo (Egypt ) 6 Harare ( Zimbabwe ) 7 Nairobi ( Kenya ) 8 Abidjan ( Ivory Coast ) 9 Port Louis ( Mauritius ) 10 Port Elizabeth ( south africa ) 11 Rabat ( Morocco ) 12 Tunis ( Tunisia ) 13 Alexandria ( Egypt ) 14 Victoria ( Seychelles ) 15 Accra ( Ghana ) 16 Djibouti city ( Djibouti ) 17 Addis Ababa ( Ethiopia ) 18 Kigali ( Rwanda ) 19 Luanda ( Angola ) 20 Abuja ( Nigeria ) 21 Algiers ( Algeria ) 22 Antananarivo ( Madagascar ) 23 Windhoek ( Namibia ) 24 Kigali ( Rwanda ) 25 Brazzaville ( Congo Brazzaville ) 26 Victoria Falls ( Zimbabwe ) 27 Tripoli ( Libya ) 28 Khartoum ( Sudan ) 29 Lusaka ( Zambia ) 30 Dares al am ( Tanzania )
calabar should be on the list
Thanks for your effort. However I don’t think your analyis is realistic. 1. A city without a property market but only miles and miles of slums after you leave tall buildings is not a functioning city and sadly most of those cities you mentioned like Luanda,Addis Ababa,Lagos,Nairobi etc are haven to slums. You would struggle to find an apartment or flat,house to rent outside of cbd in a decent suburb. Maybe watch travel channel on Dstv to know how functioning cities look like. Johannesburg tops that list in Africa. Cities with a high earing potential are always highly ranked globally. New York tops the list worldwide but in Africa Johannesburg is the top pick in terms of being a high earner. I believe some of the best brains in Africa and the world are descended on Johannesburg. As for the standard of living,safety,well managed city,shopping experience Pretoria (the capital city tops the list in South Afria). For tourism,affordable property rentals and best weather Durban tops the list. For a Europe feel and lifestyle for international travelers they choose Cape Town but you eearn far less working on the same job in Cape Town compared to Johannesburg. In Africa what I know is the only cities could be likened to South Africa are in Morocco and maybe Egypt. Windhoek,Gaborone are up there with cities in South Africa too problem is there are far less people who live there and may impact on your earing potential if you invest in them. Maybe Seychelles and Maritius has decent cities too but all the other African cities besides those in Southern Africa,Egypt,Morocco,Seychelles and Mauritius are made up of miles and miles of slums and poverty as soon as you live that CBD. If you can’t create suburbs with schols,parks,clinics,liibraries,sport facllities you should be down there. Do your cities have that? Big no I guess.
@Zama Dladla try to go to westafrica one day maybe you will have a different perceptive I can see yu are stuck with southern africa. So bad I came here late. Mr Lee yes Harare deserved something better,bad economy but It\’s capital is cool and not a huge disappointment when coming from a developed country. When it comes to residential apartments in CBD, I think it is that City Which was strategically planned in Africa as it\’s CBD apartments do not interfere with main CBD unlike in Johannesburg where it\’s CBD apartments are just an eyesore. I visited Harare with a bloom of red and purple of Jacaranda trees which was just beautiful.
Real list is 1: Johannesburg. 2:Cape Town. 3:Durban. 4:Pretoria. 5: Cairo. 6:Casablanca. 7.Windhoek. 8:Gaborone. 9. Antananarivo. 10. Victoria. 11. Port Elizabeth – South Africa. 12 Rest of Africa. Big reason is these African cities are full of slums with no property,no electricity,water,sewage etc.
HARARE AND BULAWAYO ARE BETTER THAN GABORONE AND WINDHOEK U RE ALSO BIASED
Is like you have never reached any other African city, other than the ones in south africa. To you all the villages in south africa is better than the rest of the continent, i don’t blame you… You must be a white fellow, thats why the two other mentioned African countries are from the north… But let me tell you my village in Nigeria will beat all the villages in south Africa, and its one of the smallest villages in Nigeria @Zama Dladla… I won’t discredit Lee, because comparing cities is like comparing the beauty of two women.
He is from south africa like me. I have visited Nigeria. Its cities are cooler than u see at nollywood. It more beautiful than johhanersburg my own state. Go to enugu this 2017 and see marvelous development. It survives with very few skyscrapers but beauty is in the eyes of the beholders. Anyone who sees abuja, lagos and engu would place them from first to tenth
HARARE should be on the list
YAOUNDE too should be on the list
I think Lagos should be on the list. It’s not a perfect city but it is a growing with prospects to become a proper city in the near future. Abuja is such a calm place to live in too and has a few attributes of a modern city.
I also appreciate your free spirit, you cannot leave your comfort zone to other locations without a free spirit. I hope i can do this too in my later days. Thanks for sharing your experience. I agree that your list should read my favourite African Cities. Best Wishes Lee
1 Lagos
2 Johannesburg
3 Abuja
4 capetownn
5 Nairobi
6 Cairo
7 calabar
8 addis Ababa
9 uyo
10 durban
Hahah..I don’t understand why Nigerians are upset abt this post..it’s the honest truth that Accra is beautiful then any city in Nigeria
every body spoke what they know and experienced about these cities. the list at some points may be incorrect but it doesn’t mean all the Nigerian cities mentioned deserve to hit the list may be Abuja and Lagos. and cities like cape town, Johannesburg and Addis ababa have extra standards that other African cities doesn’t have which makes the list look correct.
I love your creativity sir! Next time you visit Africa take me along your tour
I like travelling round the world but i am not privilege! I am in Cameroon but will have loved to see Abuja and Lagos on the list before thinking about Douala!
Lusaka can’t be compared to Lagos but I haven’t seen Lagos!
lagos beat lusaka by 80%
This LEE guy ranks is based on how comfortable he is?? baseless and useless. I don’t listen or read articles based on some European descent ranking Africa cities. This same people of Europeans descent divided Africa to suit their own purpose. This is what I’m seeing on this page. This LEE guy is out there to promote and make name for himself.
true
Ok. I have been to some few africa countries. With those i have been to, i give it to Johennersburg though a Nigerian. I think if this rating is based on how beutiful a city is, Abuja should make the list and probably Lagos. Lagos Island is really beautiful. But if considering how cultured, safe and welcoming a city is, Lagos shouldnt be on the list though. But Abuja definately is ment to be on the List.
Mr. Lee i sincerely appreciate your vision and effort to draw out this list, well its nice one. Though i\’m a free born Nigerian, i will not feel sad or be mad at you because i didnt see any of my cities here, and i know your ranking is from your own discription and personal experience, you said you never feel welcome when you visited Lagos Nigeria, i am sorry for that and i\’m not pleased to hear that, just give it another try,come for visit and visit other cities, i guess you will love them, and if you don\’t mind i can show you around when you visit next time. Good job, well done. You will live to make a global impact
Glad to see my city on your lists. Addis Abeba Ethiopia. thanks.
I have been laughing so loud at work reading this blog. My Nigerian brethren are angry not to see any of their beloved cities on the list. I have heard good things about Abuja and Lagos but please be a little humble when bragging on your nation big brother Nigeria.
Secondly please refrain from looking at any country with disdain. I suppose it goes for all of us. Peace!
I still know capetown grabs d top spot. but i give kudos to nigeria. Do u think its easy to govern, feed and provide infrastructures for such cities as lagos which is population is nearly more than GHANA population. most of these cities population are not even up to quater of lagos or abuja. just carry lagos and put in some of these cities im very sure they wil crash overnight. lol…
and where is Lagos….u didn’t get to Nigeria I think
The list should be Cape town; Johannesburg;abuja;Pretoria;Durban;Harare ;Casablanca;Nairobi;Tunis;port Louis;Bulawayo;Windhoek ; Gaborone;Accra ;Polokwane;Port Elizabeth;Gweru;Bloemfontain;Maputo;Abidjan;Dar es salaam;Lagos
JOBURG THE BEST …WITH SANDTON,RANDBURG,FOUR WAYS,ROSEBANK AND THE WHOLE OF EKURHULENI
I’d like to know where you are from
by the way, you should know that Nigeria is one of the greatest places in Africa. ask your history teacher
Morocco is the best place to visit and take vacation is. it has Sahara desert, amazing cities and delicious meals. Everything you needm you’ll find it there.
I have the opportunity to go live as an expat for a few years to either Yaoundé or Harare. I have not been to any of these places.
Who has been in both places?
Which one would you recommend and why?
Which one is more lively? Which one is safer? Which one has more nightlife? Which one has more nature? Which one has friendlier people?
Thank you so much for your advice!
Dennis
lee are you ok have you visited port harcourt,abuja or even lagos city
Morocco is the best place for great moments …
Windhoek is the best city in CBD only. Windhoek is full of SHACKS.
There are no shacks in Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Marrakech is the best city in Africa to visit. …