African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Mzuzu
Malawi Northern
Location
-11.46, 34.02Northern capital, center of local culture and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Welkom
South Africa Free State
Location
-27.98, 26.73Mining city, center of gold production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, gold production, regional commerce, local trade.
Bahir Dar
Ethiopia Amhara
Location
11.60, 37.38Historic city, center of Amhara culture and Lake Tana monasteries.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Bayda
Libya Cyrenaica
Location
32.77, 21.75Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Bulembu
Eswatini Hhohho
Location
-25.97, 31.13Mining town, known for asbestos mining and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, regional trade, local commerce.
Dilla
Ethiopia SNNPR
Location
6.42, 38.32Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Gamba
Gabon Ogooué-Maritime
Location
-2.78, 9.98Oil town, known for petroleum industry and local culture.
Economic Role
Oil industry, regional trade, local commerce.
Lavumisa
Eswatini Shiselweni
Location
-27.32, 31.90Border town, known for cross-border trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Border trading post, regional trade, local commerce.
Moanda
Gabon Haut-Ogooué
Location
-1.57, 13.20Mining city, center of manganese production and industry.
Economic Role
Mining industry, industrial center, regional commerce.
Nhlangano
Eswatini Shiselweni
Location
-27.12, 31.20Administrative center, known for local government and culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.
Piggs Peak
Eswatini Hhohho
Location
-25.97, 31.25Mining town, known for forestry and local culture.
Economic Role
Forestry industry, mining, regional trade, local commerce.
Shashamane
Ethiopia Oromia
Location
7.20, 38.60Historic city, center of Rastafarian culture and settlement.
Economic Role
Cultural tourism, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Sodo
Ethiopia SNNPR
Location
6.90, 37.75Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Kariba
Zimbabwe Mashonaland West
Location
-16.52, 28.80Lakeside city, center of tourism and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Saurimo
Angola Lunda Sul
Location
-9.65, 20.40Provincial capital, center of diamond mining industry.
Economic Role
Diamond mining center, mineral processing, regional commerce.
Nouakchott
Mauritania Nouakchott
Location
18.09, -15.98Capital and largest city of Mauritania, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Arafat
Mauritania Nouakchott
Location
18.05, -15.95Suburban city, known for local culture and commerce.
Economic Role
Commercial center, regional trade, local commerce, suburban hub.
Arba Minch
Ethiopia SNNPR
Location
6.03, 37.55Tourism city, center of natural beauty and cultural diversity.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Big Bend
Eswatini Lubombo
Location
-26.82, 31.93Industrial city, center of sugar production and manufacturing.
Economic Role
Sugar industry, manufacturing center, regional commerce.
Bondo
Kenya Siaya
Location
0.23, 34.27Agricultural town in Siaya County, center of local farming community.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, food processing, local markets.
Bungoma
Kenya Bungoma
Location
0.57, 34.57Major town in Western Kenya, center of Bukusu culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, sugar production, food processing, regional trade.