Which Are the Most Populated Cities in Africa in 2024?

Africa is a rapidly sprawling continent in terms of population,  boasting a diverse array of cities that reflect its expanding population size. It is home to 54 countries, has 11 urban areas with more than five million inhabitants, and above 7,500 secondary cities. 

Stretching over 30 million square kilometers,  while holding approximately 1.4 billion people, Africa has multiple cities with very large populations and is renowned as the world’s second-largest continent. 

According to the statistics of the United Nations, Africa’s population will reach over 2.5 billion people by 2050. This continent stands out among the world’s youngest continents, with a large share of 60% having 25 median age. 

In this article, we’ll find out the top-ranked populous cities in Africa, factors contributing to increased population growth, and challenges for sustainability.

List of the Top 8 Most Populated Cities in Africa

Here is the list of the most populous African cities. 

1. Cairo (22 million)
2. Lagos (21 million)
3. Kinshasa (17 million)
4. Alexandra (5.6 million)
5. Nairobi (5.5 million)
6. Cape Town (4.9 million)
7. Ibadan ( 4 million)
8. Casablanca (3.9 million)

1. Cairo (22 million)

Cairo, the capital and largest city of Egypt, comprises a fan-shaped landscape. It is narrowest in the south, where the river valley is wedged in the middle of desert escarpments, and widest in the north, with blending valleys into delta. Cairo’s landscape is relatively flat, surrounded by deserts, which make the city vulnerable to shortwave radiation, high air, and surface temperature.  

Expanding over an area of 3,085 square kilometers, Cairo upholds more than 22 million inhabitants and comes at top among the African most populous cities. Renowned as a bustling metropolis, the city offers a fast-paced life. 

The city’s transportation facilitates people via metro, bus, taxi, and minibusses, helping them to move from one corner to another, more conveniently. Despite the basic life necessities, Cairo boasts excellent medical facilities and well-trained physicians in Egypt, serving as the best center of nearby cities. 

Cairo is the financial center of Egypt, offering a diverse array of jobs with several national and international corporations, international schools, and hotels as well. Expats who are eager to work in the country will find the majority of opportunities in the capital city. An estimated average salary is 9,820 EGP in this city. Egypt’s GDP per capita was last recorded at 4177.61 US dollars in 2023.   

Wander around its markets, and taste the street food, shop selling traditional crafts and souvenirs in its downtown area. Historic Cairo is declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 

Read Also: Most Populated Countries in Africa

2. Lagos (21 million)

Lagos, a city in Nigeria, is home to numerous sun-kissed beaches and iconic landmarks. This African city is also renowned as the major financial center of Africa and the economic hub of Lagos State and Nigeria as well. 

Main pulling factors like the job opportunities and the change of better-paid force the people to leave the countryside and move to Lagos, thus increasing its population significantly. You’ll encounter many jobs in Lagos, but exceptionally if you won’t find work in the formal economy then go for the informal economy just like a street vendor, paying no tax. The average worker earns approximately N60,000 monthly. The last recorded GDP per capita of Nigeria was 2460.39 US dollars. 

Stretching over an area of 3,475 square kilometers, and housing 21 million inhabitants, Lagos has held a place among the most populated Africa’s cities. The city boasts a thriving film and music industry, which is popular among people of all ages. Moreover, this African city offers more healthcare provision than rural areas. 

With the combination of increased population, stable economic growth, and ongoing infrastructure development, Lagos offers favorable conditions for entrepreneurs and investors to thrive. The most profitable businesses are laundry, food services, agriculture, real estate, POS, E-commerce, and affiliate marketing. 

3. Kinshasa (17 millions)

Kinshasa, the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is located in Central Africa. Its vast, low-lying central beautiful landscape is a basin-shaped plateau sloping towards the west and surrounded by tropical rainforest. Witness the rich music history, especially genres like soukous and rumba, as well as cultural diversity in Kinshasa. 

Expanding over 9,965 square km, Kinshasa upholds 17 million people. The healthcare facilities are limited here, yet most people prefer to go to Kinshasa in order to find evidence of ancient human activities. Discover the historical sites, dating back thousands of years such as the Kasubi Tombs, the ruins of Kiswahili, and the colonial-era structures, enlisted among the top tourist attractions in Kinshasa. 

Most of the population growth has been the result of Congolese migration and government expansion. It is noteworthy that the cost of living in this city is generally high. Moambe Chicken is the special food of people living here. 

4. Alexandra (5.6 million)

The city of Alexandria, renowned for the Lighthouse of Alexandria, was founded by Alexander. This Lighthouse (Pharos) gained popularity as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Positioned in the north of the country, Egypt’s city is home to the main port and holds a special place on the Mediterranean. 

Spreading across 39.89 square kilometers, the city holds 5.6 million people, as well as having millions of tourist arrivals yearly.  The city boasts a growing economy of about 4% from year to year, where the average income is $55,000 per year, and the job market has been increasing by about 41% in the last 10 years. 

Serving as an important economic and industrial center, Alexandria is famous for being the country’s most cosmopolitan city, crowded with tourists. Explore the city’s wonders including the Temple of Serapis, the Lighthouse, the Citadel of Qaitbay, Pompey’s Pillar, and the diverse collection at Alexandria’s library. 

Enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities at the city’s waterfront parks such as Jones Point Park and Founders Park, which won’t only entertain you but also offer mesmerizing views of the Potomac River. 

Read Also: Why Is Russia So Big With Little Population?

5. Nairobi (5.5 million)

Nairobi, one of the African populous cities, comprises a beautiful landscape, surrounded by 113 square kilometers of plains, cliffs, and forest. The city offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition and has also gained popularity as the safari capital of Kenya. 

This small but magical city has one of the world’s most diverse landscapes, covering breathtaking and captivating places to visit. Tourism played a fundamental role in its increased population. 

According to 2023 statistics, the GDP per capita of Kenya was 1813.76 US dollars and is expected to reach 1912.00 USD by the end of 2024. The city offers job opportunities with an average monthly salary of 30,000 KES  for entry-level employees, approximately 50,000 to 100,000 KES for mid-career professionals, and 130,000 KES for high professionals. Most people in Nairobi prefer jobs of accounting, auditing, financing, admin & office, creative & designing, building, and architecture. 

The government provides free primary and secondary education, which attracts people from nearby areas to get quality education. Some of Kenya’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites are Lake Turkana National Parks, Mount Kenya National Parks & Forest, and 

Lamu Old Town.  

6. Cape Town (4.9 million)

Cape Town, known as the adventure capital of South Africa, is also home to numerous iconic mountain ranges, stunning natural wonders, entrancing landscapes, and ocean vistas. 

The current metropolitan population of Cape Town is estimated at 4.9 million, a 1.8% increase from 2023. This large urban area has high population density due to an intense movement of people, goods, and services, extensive development, and vast business districts, as well as industrial areas. In 2024, a decent monthly salary in Cape Town amounted to R28 359 which is equal to an annual income of R340 312. 

Table Mountain National Park, one of the world’s natural beautiful sites, stretches all the way from Cape Peninsula to the Cape Town City area, attracting a large number of visitors. This African city has an excellent array of both state and private hospitals, ensuring the best healthcare facilities and becoming a major medical hub for nearby areas. An estimation revealed that Cape Town solely boasts 200 private hospitals, thus ensuring top-notch health-related services.

Read Also: Which Are the Landlocked Countries in Africa? 

7. Ibadan ( 4 million)

Ibadan, the capital and most populous city of Oyo State is situated in Nigeria and is also famous as one of the country’s largest cities by geographical area. The city’s thriving economy relies on agriculture, commerce, handicrafts, manufacturing, and service industries. 

While spreading across a total area of 3,080 square kilometers, Ibadan consists of around 4 million people, providing them with an affordable cost of living compared to other major cities of Nigeria. The city is well renowned for hosting Nigeria’s premier higher institution of learning, known as the University of Ibadan which attracts a large number of students to get quality education. 

According to the Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ perception, the calculated GDP per capita of Nigeria will expectedly reach 2537.00 USD at the end of 2024. 

Any working person in Ibadan typically earns approximately 324,000 NGN. The average salary ranges fall between 81,700 NGN to 1,440,000 NGN. The tourism industry also boasts a significant contribution to the city’s economy, as Ibadan comprises top attractions like Ado Away Mountains and Suspended Lakes. 

8. Casablanca (3.9 million)

Casablanca, the central-western part of Morocco, borders the Atlantic Ocean and becomes the largest city in the Maghreb region. It is famous as one of the most important and largest African cities, both demographically and economically.

Covering a land area of 384 square kilometers, the city is home to 3.9 million inhabitants with an accelerating forecast growth rate of 4.9% in 2025. It is considered as the fourth best city on the African continent to live, work, and invest in. Casablanca controlled the illiteracy rate by making education compulsory to age 15 and free of cost. 

Under the estimation, the GDP per capita of Morocco is expected to reach 3489.00 USD by the end of 2024. The tourism industry plays a significant role in the city’s economy, as Morrocco comprises nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, based on cultural significance. 

Read Also: 8 Most Polluted Countries in the World

Table of the Most Populated Cities in Africa

No.	Most Populated Cities in Africa	Population	Ranking	Country
1.	Cairo	22 million	1st	Egypt
2.	Lagos	21 million	2nd	Nigeria
3.	Kinshasa	17 million	3rd	Democratic Republic of the Congo
4.	Alexandria	5.6 million	4th	Egypt
5,	Nairobi	5.5 million	5th	Kenya
6.	Cape Town	4.9 million	6th	South Africa
7.	Ibadan	4 million	7th	Nigeria
8.	Casablanca	3.9 million	8th	Morocco

Conclusion 

Africa is well-renowned as the fastest-growing continent, comprising 54 countries, 11 urban areas, and more than 7,500 cities. While upholding 1.4 billion people and spanning over 30 million square kilometers, it is ranked as the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent, followed by Asia. From Cairo and Lagos to Kinshasa and Abidjan, Durban and Luanda, each city sprawls continuously in terms of population and significantly contributes to the overall continent’s population size. 

Certain factors including beautiful landscapes, impressive basic life facilities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, increased business trends, job opportunities, effective healthcare system, and quality education attract a lot of people to live or visit here, thus expanding the population of Africa.  

FAQ’s

Where Are Africa’s Most Populated Cities Located?

• Cairo, Egypt.
• Lagos, Nigeria.
• Kinshasa, DR Congo.  
• Alexandra, Egypt.
• Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
• Cape Town, South Africa.
• Ibadan, Nigeria.
• Casablanca, Morocco 
• Durban, South Africa 
• Luanda, Angola 

Which City Is the Biggest in Africa Required?

Cairo, located in Egypt, stands at top among the most populous cities of Africa, with an estimated population of more than 22 million people. 

What Are the Most Urbanized Countries in Africa?

According to 2023 statistics, Gabon revealed the highest urbanization rate in Africa, stating more than 90 percent of the population living in urban areas. Whereas, Libya had 82 percent of the population, and Djibouti followed at 79 percent. 

Which Part of Africa Has the Largest Population?

If we talk about the most populous African countries, Nigeria is ranked first, followed by Ethiopia, Egypt, DR Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya.