African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Butembo
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nord-Kivu
Location
0.13, 29.28Eastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Eldoret
Kenya Uasin Gishu
Location
0.52, 35.28Major city in Rift Valley, center of Kalenjin culture, known as the "City of Champions".
Economic Role
Agricultural center, food processing, manufacturing, regional trade hub.
Gemena
Democratic Republic of the Congo Sud-Ubangi
Location
3.25, 19.77Northern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Goma
Democratic Republic of the Congo Nord-Kivu
Location
-1.68, 29.22Eastern city, center of local commerce and border trade.
Economic Role
Border trading post, regional trade, local commerce.
Inongo
Democratic Republic of the Congo Mai-Ndombe
Location
-1.95, 18.27Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Isiro
Democratic Republic of the Congo Haut-Uélé
Location
2.78, 27.62Northeastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kabinda
Democratic Republic of the Congo Lomami
Location
-6.13, 24.48Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kananga
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kasaï-Central
Location
-5.90, 22.42Central major city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kasongo
Democratic Republic of the Congo Maniema
Location
-4.58, 26.67Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Kikwit
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kwilu
Location
-5.03, 18.82Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Kindu
Democratic Republic of the Congo Maniema
Location
-2.95, 25.95Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kipushi
Democratic Republic of the Congo Haut-Katanga
Location
-11.77, 27.25Mining city, center of copper and zinc mining industry.
Economic Role
Copper and zinc mining center, mineral processing, regional commerce.
Kongolo
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tanganyika
Location
-5.38, 27.00Eastern city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Likasi
Democratic Republic of the Congo Haut-Katanga
Location
-10.98, 26.73Mining city, center of copper mining and industry.
Economic Role
Copper mining center, industrial processing, regional commerce.
Lisala
Democratic Republic of the Congo Mongala
Location
2.15, 21.52Northern city, center of river transport and commerce.
Economic Role
River transport hub, port city, regional trade, local commerce.
Lodja
Democratic Republic of the Congo Sankuru
Location
-3.52, 23.60Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.
Lubumbashi
Democratic Republic of the Congo Haut-Katanga
Location
-11.66, 27.48Second largest city, center of copper mining and industry.
Economic Role
Copper mining center, industrial hub, regional trade, transportation hub.
Manono
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tanganyika
Location
-7.30, 27.42Mining city, center of tin mining industry.
Economic Role
Tin mining center, mineral processing, regional commerce.
Mbuji-Mayi
Democratic Republic of the Congo Kasaï Oriental
Location
-6.14, 23.59Diamond mining capital, center of diamond industry and commerce.
Economic Role
Diamond mining center, mineral processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Moba
Democratic Republic of the Congo Tanganyika
Location
-7.05, 29.75Eastern city, center of fishing and local commerce.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, regional trade, local commerce.
Mwene-Ditu
Democratic Republic of the Congo Lomami
Location
-7.00, 23.45Central city, center of agriculture and local commerce.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, regional trade, local commerce.