Lagos,
Nigeria, with
9,000,000 inhabitants, is the most
populous city in
Africa, significantly ahead of Kinshasa, Republic of the
Congo, and Cairo,
Egypt, which have
7,786,000 and
7,734,600 inhabitants, respectively. These top three cities together account for over
24 million people, underscoring the concentration of urban populations in specific areas.
Nigerian cities' prominence
Nigeria is home to
three of the continent's largest cities by population: Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan, with populations of
9,000,000,
3,626,000, and
3,565,100, respectively. This highlights Nigeria's significant
urbanization and its importance in Africa's
demographic landscape.
Egypt boasts
two cities among Africa's largest: Cairo and Alexandria, with
7,734,600 and
3,811,500 inhabitants, respectively. The combined population of Egypt's major urban areas reflects the country's historical and ongoing urban growth.
East African urbanization
East Africa is represented by four cities: Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Mogadishu, with populations ranging from
2,587,200 to
2,757,700. These figures indicate a trend of rapid urbanization within the region.
Southern Africa's urban diversity
Southern Africa features three
large cities: Cape
Town, Durban, and Johannesburg (not listed but implied by the inclusion of other South African cities), illustrating the region's urban diversity and significant role in the continent's economy.
Unique city-state representation
Casablanca is the only Moroccan city in the list, with
3,144,900 inhabitants, showcasing its unique position as a central urban hub in North Africa distinct from Egypt's dominance in the region.
Growth potential in West and Central Africa
Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Luanda,
Angola, with
3,677,100 and
2,776,200 inhabitants respectively, indicate the growth potential and increasing urbanization in West and Central African regions beyond the Nigerian cities.