African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Cabinda
Angola Cabinda
Location
-5.55, 12.20Enclave city, center of Cabinda culture and oil industry.
Economic Role
Oil industry center, petroleum exports, regional commerce.
Graskop
South Africa Mpumalanga
Location
-24.93, 30.83Mountain town, center of tourism and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
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.
Lüderitz
Namibia Karas
Location
-26.65, 15.15Historic port town, center of colonial heritage and fishing.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, fishing industry, tourism hub, regional 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.
Pointe-Noire
Republic of the Congo Pointe-Noire
Location
-4.78, 11.86Port city, center of oil industry and maritime trade.
Economic Role
Oil industry, port services, maritime trade, regional commerce.
Bamenda
Cameroon Nord-Ouest
Location
5.96, 10.15Northwestern major city, center of Anglophone culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, education hub.
Barberton
South Africa Mpumalanga
Location
-25.78, 31.05Historic town, center of gold mining heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Buea
Cameroon Sud-Ouest
Location
4.15, 9.23Mountain city, center of education and local culture.
Economic Role
Educational center, administrative services, regional commerce.
Calabar
Nigeria Cross River
Location
4.95, 8.32Historic city, center of colonial heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Polokwane
South Africa Limpopo
Location
-23.90, 29.45Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Caconda
Angola Huíla
Location
-14.13, 15.07Small city, center of local community and agriculture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, local markets, regional commerce.
Lubango
Angola Huíla
Location
-14.92, 13.49Major city in southern Angola, center of local culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, manufacturing, educational services, regional trade.
Omdurman
Sudan Khartoum
Location
15.65, 32.48Historic city, center of Mahdist heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Zomba
Malawi Southern
Location
-15.38, 35.33Historic capital, center of education and local culture.
Economic Role
Educational center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia Addis Ababa
Location
9.14, 38.77Capital and largest city of Ethiopia, center of African Union and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Johannesburg
South Africa Gauteng
Location
-26.20, 28.05Economic capital and largest city, center of commerce and industry.
Economic Role
Economic capital, commercial center, financial hub, regional trade.
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.
Ziguinchor
Senegal Ziguinchor
Location
12.58, -16.27Regional capital, center of Casamance culture and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Conakry
Guinea Conakry
Location
9.64, -13.58Capital and largest city of Guinea, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Touba
Senegal Diourbel
Location
14.87, -15.88Religious city, center of Mouride brotherhood and Islamic culture.
Economic Role
Religious center, pilgrimage destination, regional commerce, local trade.