African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa
Location
-4.44, 15.27Capital and largest city of DRC, center of government and commerce.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Boma
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kongo-Central
Location
-5.85, 13.05Historic port city, center of maritime trade and commerce.
Economic Role
Port city, maritime trade, regional commerce.
Kisangani
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tshopo
Location
0.52, 25.20Northeastern major city, center of river transport and commerce.
Economic Role
River transport hub, port city, regional trade, local commerce.
Mbandaka
Democratic Republic of the Congo Équateur
Location
0.05, 18.26Northern city, center of river transport and commerce.
Economic Role
River transport hub, port city, regional trade, local commerce.
Matadi
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kongo-Central
Location
-5.82, 13.45Port city, center of maritime trade and commerce.
Economic Role
Major port city, maritime trade, regional commerce.
Kalemie
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tanganyika
Location
-5.93, 29.20Eastern city, center of fishing and local commerce.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, port services, regional trade, local commerce.
Bukavu
Democratic Republic of the Congo Sud-Kivu
Location
-2.51, 28.86Eastern major city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Aketi
Democratic Republic of the Congo Bas-Uélé
Location
2.73, 23.78Northeastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Bandundu
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kwilu
Location
-3.32, 17.37Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Basankusu
Democratic Republic of the Congo Équateur
Location
1.22, 19.80Northern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Beni
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nord-Kivu
Location
0.50, 29.47Eastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Boende
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tshuapa
Location
-0.28, 20.88Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Bunia
Democratic Republic of the Congo Ituri
Location
1.57, 30.25Northeastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Businga
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nord-Ubangi
Location
3.33, 20.88Northern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Butembo
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nord-Kivu
Location
0.13, 29.28Eastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Gemena
Democratic Republic of the Congo Sud-Ubangi
Location
3.25, 19.77Northern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Goma
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nord-Kivu
Location
-1.68, 29.22Eastern city, center of local commerce and border trade.
Economic Role
Border trading post, regional trade, local commerce.
Inongo
Democratic Republic of the Congo Mai-Ndombe
Location
-1.95, 18.27Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Isiro
Democratic Republic of the Congo Haut-Uélé
Location
2.78, 27.62Northeastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kabinda
Democratic Republic of the Congo Lomami
Location
-6.13, 24.48Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kananga
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kasaï-Central
Location
-5.90, 22.42Central major city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.