African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Assab
Eritrea Southern Red Sea
Location
13.01, 42.74Port city, center of Red Sea trade and modern development.
Economic Role
Port city, maritime trade, industrial development, regional commerce.
Maseru
Lesotho Maseru
Location
-29.32, 27.48Capital and largest city of Lesotho, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Kimberley
South Africa Northern Cape
Location
-28.74, 24.76Diamond city, center of diamond mining and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, diamond production, regional commerce, local trade.
Antsirabe
Madagascar Vakinankaratra
Location
-19.87, 47.03Thermal city, center of hot springs and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, thermal springs, regional trade, local commerce.
Pilgrim's Rest
South Africa Mpumalanga
Location
-24.88, 30.75Historic town, center of gold mining heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Upington
South Africa Northern Cape
Location
-28.40, 21.25Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Mochudi
Botswana Kgatleng
Location
-24.42, 26.15Traditional village, center of Bakgatla culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, traditional crafts, local markets, regional commerce.
Blantyre
Malawi Southern
Location
-15.78, 35.00Commercial capital, center of business and industry.
Economic Role
Commercial center, industrial hub, regional trade, transportation hub.
Sikasso
Mali Sikasso
Location
11.32, -5.67Agricultural capital, center of farming and local culture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Bolama
Guinea-Bissau Bolama
Location
11.58, -15.47Historic city, former capital and center of colonial heritage.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional trade, local commerce.
Antsiranana
Madagascar Diana
Location
-12.27, 49.28Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Brazzaville
Republic of the Congo Brazzaville
Location
-4.26, 15.24Capital and largest city of Republic of the Congo, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Franceville
Gabon Haut-Ogooué
Location
-1.63, 13.58Historic city, center of mining and regional administration.
Economic Role
Mining center, administrative hub, regional trade, local commerce.
Lambaréné
Gabon Moyen-Ogooué
Location
-0.70, 10.22Historic city, center of medical research and local culture.
Economic Role
Medical research, administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.
Lomé
Togo Maritime
Location
6.14, 1.21Capital and largest city of Togo, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Nekemte
Ethiopia Oromia
Location
9.08, 36.55Historic city, center of Oromo culture and regional administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Parakou
Benin Borgou
Location
9.34, 2.63Major city in northern Benin, center of Bariba culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, transportation hub, regional trade, livestock market.
Kayes
Mali Kayes
Location
14.45, -11.43Railway town, center of transportation and local culture.
Economic Role
Transportation hub, railway center, regional trade, local commerce.
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.
Dessie
Ethiopia Amhara
Location
11.13, 39.63Historic city, center of Amhara culture and regional administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural 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.