Nairobi has been named the third most attractive city in Africa in the second edition of a new urban index, marking a notable rise despite recent socio-political tensions. The report, which evaluated 30 African cities, highlighted several key drivers for Nairobi’s improved standing: its ambition to position itself as a continental tech hub, ongoing major infrastructure and mobility projects, and sustained attractiveness to investors.
Ranking Methodology and Context
The index assesses African metropolises using a mix of objective economic indicators and resident perceptions. Data points analyzed include Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows between 2020 and 2023 and surveys of over 7,800 urban residents across four main criteria: quality of life, infrastructure, economic dynamism, and access to essential services.
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Top Performers: Cairo topped the 2025 ranking, displacing the previous leader, Cape Town. Cairo’s position was fueled by massive urban development projects, such as the New Administrative Capital, and strong FDI inflows from the Gulf and China. Kigali retained its second-place position, recognized for its exceptional safety, clean urban environment, and robust municipal governance.
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Wider Trends: The report observes widening contrasts between francophone and anglophone cities, with the latter generally showing greater resilience in attracting investment. New entrants to the competitive urban landscape include cities like Dar es Salaam, Tangier, and Mombasa, reflecting the increasingly diverse nature of urban growth across the continent.
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Cities Listed: Other prominent cities in the ranking included Cape Town, Johannesburg, Casablanca, Rabat, Dakar, Abidjan, Marrakech, Alexandria, and Mombasa.
The report emphasizes that African metropolises are experiencing unprecedented urbanization and must invent new financing models, strengthen governance, and adapt to rapidly evolving climatic, social, and economic contexts to sustain their growth.
