Several cities in Africa have experienced rapid population growth due to various factors. Some have seen migration spikes driven by attractive infrastructure and social developments, while others owe their population increases to their roles as thriving economic and business hubs.
Urbanization in African cities is among the fastest globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where populations are expected to triple by 2050.
As of 2024, Africa's population stands at approximately 1.5 billion, representing 18% of the global population.
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Africa has been at the forefront of global population growth, showing the largest relative increase over the decades.
Since 1960, Africa's population has expanded from 283 million to over 1.5 billion-a more than fivefold surge. This rapid growth is expected to continue, with projections indicating an increase of 950 million, reaching around 2.5 billion by 2050.
This growth presents both opportunities and challenges, as it places significant pressure on already strained resources, infrastructure, and essential services. Managing this rapid expansion effectively will be critical to ensuring sustainable development across the continent.
A major challenge facing African cities is the lack of economic growth to match the population growth.
Despite being home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the world, African cities are not generating enough jobs or economic opportunities to support their growing populations
According to the World Population Review, the following African cities have the largest population as of October 2024.
| 1 | 13 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | 17.6M |
| 2 | 14 | Lagos | Nigeria | 16.3M |
| 3 | 37 | Luanda | Angola | 9.7M |
| 4 | 48 | Dar es Salam | Tanzania | 8.1M |
| 5 | 60 | Khartoum | Sudan | 6.5M |
| 6 | 62 | Johannesburg | South Africa | 6.3M |
| 7 | 69 | Abidjan | Cote D'Ivoire | 5.9M |
| 8 | 72 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | 5.7M |
| 9 | 73 | Alexandria | Egypt | 5.6M |
| 10 | 75 | Nairobi | Kenya | 5.5M |
Kinshasa, Lagos, and Luanda were ranked as the most populous cities in Africa in 2024.
On the global stage, these cities secured the 13th, 14th, and 37th positions, respectively, highlighting their significant demographic and urban prominence.
These urban centers are renowned for their dynamic business environments and thriving cultural ecosystems, making them key hubs of economic and social activity on the continent.
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