African Cities Timeline

Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises

Ife

Nigeria Osun

Location
7.47, 4.57

Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and mythology.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Benin City

Nigeria Edo

Location
6.33, 5.60

Historic city, center of Edo culture and bronze art.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Kano

Nigeria Kano

Location
12.00, 8.59

Historic city, center of Hausa culture and Islamic learning.

Economic Role

Commercial center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.

Katsina

Nigeria Katsina

Location
12.98, 7.60

Historic city, center of Hausa culture and Islamic learning.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.

Oyo

Nigeria Oyo

Location
7.85, 3.93

Historic city, center of Oyo Empire and Yoruba culture.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Ilorin

Nigeria Kwara

Location
8.50, 4.55

Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and Islamic learning.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.

Zaria

Nigeria Kaduna

Location
11.07, 7.70

Historic city, center of Hausa culture and Islamic learning.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.

Onitsha

Nigeria Anambra

Location
6.17, 6.78

Commercial city, center of trade and local culture.

Economic Role

Commercial center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.

Ogbomoso

Nigeria Oyo

Location
8.13, 4.25

Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and local administration.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.

Sokoto

Nigeria Sokoto

Location
13.07, 5.23

Historic city, center of Islamic culture and learning.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.

Ibadan

Nigeria Oyo

Location
7.38, 3.95

Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and education.

Economic Role

Educational center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.

Abeokuta

Nigeria Ogun

Location
7.15, 3.35

Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and local administration.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.

Lokoja

Nigeria Kogi

Location
7.80, 6.73

Historic city, center of colonial heritage and local culture.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.

Calabar

Nigeria Cross River

Location
4.95, 8.32

Historic city, center of colonial heritage and local culture.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Ado-Ekiti

Nigeria Ekiti

Location
7.62, 5.22

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Akure

Nigeria Ondo

Location
7.25, 5.20

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Asaba

Nigeria Delta

Location
6.20, 6.73

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Awka

Nigeria Anambra

Location
6.22, 7.07

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Bauchi

Nigeria Bauchi

Location
10.32, 9.83

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.

Ijebu-Ode

Nigeria Ogun

Location
6.82, 3.92

Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and local administration.

Economic Role

Cultural heritage, administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.

Ikot Ekpene

Nigeria Akwa Ibom

Location
5.18, 7.72

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.