African Cities Timeline

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

Dullstroom

South Africa Mpumalanga

Location
-25.42, 30.10

Mountain town, center of tourism and local culture.

Economic Role

Tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.

Entebbe

Uganda Central

Location
0.05, 32.45

Airport city, center of aviation and local culture.

Economic Role

Aviation hub, airport services, regional trade, local commerce.

Grand-Bassam

Ivory Coast Sud-Comoé

Location
5.20, -3.73

Historic city, former capital and center of colonial heritage, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Economic Role

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

Gweru

Zimbabwe Midlands

Location
-19.45, 29.82

Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

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

Sabie

South Africa Mpumalanga

Location
-25.10, 30.78

Mountain town, center of forestry and local culture.

Economic Role

Forestry industry, regional commerce, local trade.

Toliara

Madagascar Atsimo-Andrefana

Location
-23.35, 43.67

Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.

Economic Role

Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.

Arbinda

Burkina Faso Sahel

Location
14.22, -0.92

Northern city, center of local culture and pastoral activities.

Economic Role

Pastoral center, regional trade, local commerce.

Bittou

Burkina Faso Centre-Est

Location
11.05, 0.70

Eastern city, center of local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.

Bogandé

Burkina Faso Est

Location
12.97, 0.15

Eastern city, center of local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.

Boussé

Burkina Faso Plateau-Central

Location
12.67, -2.07

Central city, center of Mossi culture and traditional crafts.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, traditional crafts, regional trade, local commerce.

Bujumbura

Burundi Bujumbura Mairie

Location
-3.38, 29.36

Former capital and largest city, center of commerce and modern development.

Economic Role

Economic capital, major port city, commercial center, financial hub.

Dédougou

Burkina Faso Boucle du Mouhoun

Location
12.47, -3.47

Western city, center of local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.

Djibo

Burkina Faso Sahel

Location
14.10, -1.63

Northern city, center of Fulani culture and pastoral traditions.

Economic Role

Administrative center, pastoral services, regional trade, local commerce.

Dori

Burkina Faso Sahel

Location
14.03, -0.05

Northern city, center of Fulani culture and pastoral traditions.

Economic Role

Administrative center, pastoral services, regional trade, local commerce.

Fada N'Gourma

Burkina Faso Est

Location
12.05, 0.37

Eastern city, center of Gourmantché culture and traditions.

Economic Role

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

Francistown

Botswana North-East

Location
-21.17, 27.51

Second largest city, center of mining industry and regional commerce.

Economic Role

Mining center, transportation hub, regional trade, industrial services.

Gaoua

Burkina Faso Sud-Ouest

Location
10.32, -3.18

Southwestern city, center of Lobi culture and traditions.

Economic Role

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

Gorom-Gorom

Burkina Faso Sahel

Location
14.43, -0.23

Northern city, center of Fulani culture and pastoral traditions.

Economic Role

Administrative center, pastoral services, regional trade, local commerce.

Kaya

Burkina Faso Centre-Nord

Location
13.08, -1.08

Central city, center of Mossi culture and traditional crafts.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, traditional crafts, regional trade, local commerce.

Kongoussi

Burkina Faso Centre-Nord

Location
13.33, -1.53

Central city, center of local culture and agriculture.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.

Koudougou

Burkina Faso Centre-Ouest

Location
12.25, -2.37

Third largest city, center of Mossi culture and traditional crafts.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, traditional crafts, regional trade, local commerce.