African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Zuénoula
Ivory Coast Marahoué
Location
7.43, -6.05Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Zvishavane
Zimbabwe Midlands
Location
-20.33, 30.03Mining city, center of chrome production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, chrome production, regional commerce, local trade.
Zwedru
Liberia Grand Gedeh
Location
6.07, -8.13Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Aba
Nigeria Abia
Location
5.12, 7.37Commercial city, center of trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Commercial center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Bukavu
Democratic Republic of the Congo Sud-Kivu
Location
-2.51, 28.86Eastern major city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Jinja
Uganda Eastern
Location
0.42, 33.20Industrial city, center of manufacturing and local culture.
Economic Role
Industrial center, manufacturing hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Kisumu
Kenya Kisumu
Location
-0.09, 34.77Third largest city in Kenya, center of Luo culture and traditions, major port on Lake Victoria.
Economic Role
Port city, industrial center, fishing industry, regional trade hub.
Yamoussoukro
Ivory Coast Yamoussoukro
Location
6.83, -5.29Capital of Ivory Coast, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political capital, government services, administrative center, regional trade hub.
Dire Dawa
Ethiopia Dire Dawa
Location
9.60, 41.85Commercial hub, center of trade and transportation.
Economic Role
Commercial center, transportation hub, regional trade, industrial development.
Kabwe
Zambia Central
Location
-14.43, 28.45Mining city, center of lead and zinc production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, lead and zinc production, regional commerce, local trade.
Kwekwe
Zimbabwe Midlands
Location
-18.92, 29.82Mining city, center of gold production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, gold production, regional commerce, local trade.
Lobatse
Botswana South-East
Location
-25.22, 25.67Border town, center of meat processing and regional commerce.
Economic Role
Meat processing center, border trade, industrial services, regional commerce.
Luanshya
Zambia Copperbelt
Location
-13.13, 28.40Mining city, center of copper production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, copper production, regional commerce, local trade.
Mbabane
Eswatini Hhohho
Location
-26.31, 31.14Capital and largest city of Eswatini, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Serowe
Botswana Central
Location
-22.38, 26.72Historic capital of Bamangwato, center of Tswana culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, traditional crafts, local markets, regional commerce.
Abidjan
Ivory Coast Lagunes
Location
5.36, -4.01Economic capital and largest city, center of commerce and modern culture.
Economic Role
Economic capital, commercial center, financial hub, port services, regional trade.
Banfora
Burkina Faso Cascades
Location
10.63, -4.77Southwestern city, center of sugar industry and tourism.
Economic Role
Sugar production, tourism, agricultural processing, regional commerce.
Béchar
Algeria Béchar
Location
31.62, -2.22Oasis city in the Sahara with mining significance.
Economic Role
Mining, agriculture, oasis farming.
Nakuru
Kenya Nakuru
Location
-0.30, 36.08Fourth largest city in Kenya, center of Rift Valley culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Industrial center, agricultural processing, regional trade hub, tourism.
Ndola
Zambia Copperbelt
Location
-12.97, 28.63Industrial city, center of manufacturing and local culture.
Economic Role
Industrial center, manufacturing hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Hurghada
Egypt Red Sea
Location
27.26, 33.81Tourism city, center of Red Sea tourism and diving.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, diving industry, hospitality services, regional commerce.