11 Fastest Growing Cities in Africa

Today, we look at the 11 fastest growing cities in Africa. Africa has been known to be a continent with rich natural resources and a very promising economic potential. Unfortunately for some countries, fiscal mismanagement and poor governance has plagued these nations for decades. But times are changing, as Africa has had the fastest growth for all continents in terms of GDP in 2015. Though different countries have different rates of growth, peace across the continent has led to increased economic activity. Improved technology and governance, urbanization, and increased trade all fuel the economies of the most robust African nations. Combined with a growing number of young middle-class populations, the African economy is bound to be one the most dynamic in a few years time. In line with our previous article of the 11 Fastest Growing Cities in the World, we present to you the 11 fastest growing cities at the forefront of Africa’s rally as an economic powerhouse.

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Factors considered in ranking the 11 fastest growing cities in Africa were the population growth rate from 2010 to 2025 and GDP rate per annum from 2008-2025. Information was based on reports published by PriceWaterhouse’s Global City GDP Rankings 2008-2025 and African Development Bank’s Tracking Africa’s Progress in Figures.

City ranks per category (in parentheses) were determined by ranking each city based on their GDP growth rate and population growth change, with 15 as the highest score in each category. Final ranks were determined by adding the rank of each city, which is reflected in the overall score. Watch as these 11 fastest growing cities in Africa transform into economic powerhouses in the near future.

11. Cairo, Egypt

Population growth: 23% (4)

GDP growth: 5% (6)

Overall score: 10

“The city of a thousand minarets”, Egypt’s capital has the 15^th largest metropolitan area in the world. Cairo’s population is still expected to increase by 23% in the next 10 years, with its GDP by 2030 2^nd only to Johannesburg as Africa’s largest.  

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