African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
M'Banza Kongo
Angola Zaire
Location
-6.27, 14.25Historic capital of Kongo Kingdom, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism, cultural heritage, agricultural center, regional commerce.
Mbanza-Congo
Angola Zaire
Location
-6.27, 14.25Historic capital of Kongo Kingdom, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism, cultural heritage, agricultural center, regional commerce.
Oyo
Nigeria Oyo
Location
7.85, 3.93Historic city, center of Oyo Empire and Yoruba culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Ouagadougou
Burkina Faso Centre
Location
12.37, -1.52Capital and largest city of Burkina Faso, center of Mossi culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Agadez
Niger Agadez
Location
16.97, 7.98Historic city, center of Tuareg culture and trans-Saharan trade, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Ilorin
Nigeria Kwara
Location
8.50, 4.55Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and Islamic learning.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.
Cidade Velha
Cabo Verde Santiago
Location
14.92, -23.60Historic city, first European settlement in the tropics, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism, cultural heritage, historical significance, local commerce.
Chefchaouen
Morocco Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
Location
35.17, -5.27Mountain city, center of Berber culture and tourism.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, cultural heritage, regional commerce, local trade.
Elmina
Ghana Central
Location
5.08, -1.35Historic town, center of colonial heritage and fishing.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce.
São Tomé
São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé
Location
0.34, 6.73Capital and largest city of São Tomé and Príncipe, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Accra
Ghana Greater Accra
Location
5.60, -0.19Capital and largest city of Ghana, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Agona
Ghana Central
Location
5.67, -0.83Historic town, center of local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Anomabu
Ghana Central
Location
5.17, -1.10Historic town, center of colonial heritage and fishing.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Apam
Ghana Central
Location
5.28, -0.73Historic town, center of fishing and local culture.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, regional trade, local commerce.
Awutu
Ghana Central
Location
5.42, -0.50Historic town, center of local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Axim
Ghana Western
Location
4.87, -2.23Historic town, center of colonial heritage and fishing.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Bawjiase
Ghana Central
Location
5.50, -0.75Historic town, center of local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Domoni
Comoros Anjouan
Location
-12.25, 44.53City on Anjouan Island, center of local culture and commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Fomboni
Comoros Mohéli
Location
-12.28, 43.75Third largest city, center of local culture and commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.
Furna
Cabo Verde Brava
Location
14.88, -24.70City on Brava Island, center of local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, local commerce, regional trade.
Gomoa
Ghana Central
Location
5.50, -0.75Historic town, center of local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.