African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Kanye
Botswana Southern
Location
-24.98, 25.35Traditional village, center of Bangwaketse culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, traditional crafts, local markets, regional commerce.
Cotonou
Benin Littoral
Location
6.37, 2.35Economic capital of Benin, center of commerce and modern development.
Economic Role
Major port city, commercial center, financial hub, transportation hub.
Rustenburg
South Africa North West
Location
-25.67, 27.25Mining city, center of platinum production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, platinum production, regional commerce, local trade.
Djelfa
Algeria Djelfa
Location
34.67, 3.26Strategic location in central Algeria, agricultural center.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, livestock, food processing.
Malanje
Angola Malanje
Location
-9.54, 16.34Provincial capital, center of local administration and culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional commerce.
Hermanus
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-34.42, 19.23Coastal town, center of whale watching and tourism.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, whale watching, regional commerce, local trade.
Pretoria
South Africa Gauteng
Location
-25.75, 28.23Administrative capital, center of government and local culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, government services, regional trade, local commerce.
Robertsport
Liberia Grand Cape Mount
Location
6.75, -11.37Coastal town, known for fishing and local culture.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, tourism hub, regional trade, local commerce.
Dakar
Senegal Dakar
Location
14.69, -17.45Capital and largest city of Senegal, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Limbe
Cameroon Sud-Ouest
Location
4.02, 9.22Coastal city, center of tourism and oil industry.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, oil industry, port services, regional commerce.
Port Said
Egypt Port Said
Location
31.27, 32.30Historic port city, gateway to Suez Canal and Mediterranean trade.
Economic Role
Major port city, Suez Canal services, maritime trade, regional commerce.
Suez
Egypt Suez
Location
29.97, 32.55Port city, gateway to Suez Canal and Red Sea trade.
Economic Role
Port city, Suez Canal services, maritime trade, regional commerce.
Lokoja
Nigeria Kogi
Location
7.80, 6.73Historic city, center of colonial heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Molepolole
Botswana Kweneng
Location
-24.42, 25.50Largest traditional village, center of Bakwena culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, traditional crafts, local markets, regional commerce.
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Dar es Salaam
Location
-6.79, 39.21Economic capital and largest city, center of commerce and industry.
Economic Role
Economic capital, commercial center, financial hub, port services, regional trade.
Obock
Djibouti Obock
Location
11.97, 43.28Northern coastal city, center of fishing and local commerce.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, port services, regional trade, local commerce.
Ismailia
Egypt Ismailia
Location
30.60, 32.27Canal city, center of Suez Canal administration and commerce.
Economic Role
Suez Canal administration, regional trade, local commerce.
Middelburg
South Africa Mpumalanga
Location
-25.77, 29.47Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Keetmanshoop
Namibia Karas
Location
-26.58, 18.13Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Curepipe
Mauritius Plaines Wilhems
Location
-20.32, 57.52Administrative center, known for local culture and commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Mekelle
Ethiopia Tigray
Location
13.50, 39.48Historic city, center of Tigray culture and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.