Economy

Top fastest growing cities in Africa

Published

1 year ago

2023/01/05

About half of the world’s fastest-growing economies will be located on the continent, with 20 economies expanding at an average rate of 5% or higher over the next five years, faster than the global economy’s 3.6% rate.

Africa’s population is expected to reach around 2 billion by 2050, and more economic activities are taking place to counterbalance the rising population.

Below is a list of the top fast-growing cities in Africa according to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat),

1. Accra, Ghana

Ghana’s main city, Accra, serves as the country’s capital, administrative centre, and economic hub. It is the location of important government and non-governmental ministries, insurance companies, bank headquarters, and large markets that import most of the food supply. Additionally, the city is close to the Tema Port, which serves as Ghana’s main national border for international trade.

From 2.3 million in 2005 to 3.6 million in 2025, Accra’s population is projected to rise at 49%.

2. Ibadan, Nigeria

Ibadan, which ranks third in terms of the population behind Lagos and Kano, is the largest city in Nigeria by area. Ibadan is particularly appealing to businesspeople due to the abundance of economic activity that can be found here and the city’s proximity (130 km) to the commercial centre of Lagos.

Agriculture, trade, handicrafts, and manufacturing are all commercial activities in Ibadan, and operating costs are significantly cheaper than in Lagos. Ibadan had about 3.7 million residents as of 2021; by 2025, it’s expected to have grown by 49% to 4 million.

3. Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is the most populous metropolis in Nigeria and is situated along its western coast. The majority of Nigeria’s financial and business centres have administrative offices there. Due to its location on the Western coast, it houses Nigeria’s largest seaport, an important hub for international trade, and skyscrapers that serve upscale residences and companies.

Lagos’ population, also referred to as “The metropolis that won’t stop rising,” is anticipated to increase by 49.5% in 2025, from 18M in 2005 to 27M in 2025. Thousands of people relocate to cities daily, many of them from rural areas, searching for employment and a better quality of life.

4. Dakar, Senegal

Dakar is the capital and seat of the government of Senegal. It is home to numerous historical African museums and one of the premier seaports in West Africa for trade between West Africa and Europe.

The city’s main industries include truck manufacturing, fish canning, grain milling, brewing, and refining peanut oil.

From 2.8 million in 2005 to 4.2 million in 2025, Dakar is expected to grow by 52%.

5. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abidjan, the country’s capital city, is located on the Atlantic Ocean’s coast, bordering Côte d’Ivoire. Many of the country’s administrative and business sectors are based in the city.

Furthermore, scientific research institutes in the area and numerous museums of Ivorian arts draw a diverse range of tourists to the site. The city is growing rapidly, and the population is expected to exceed 6 million within the next ten years.