African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Agadir
Morocco Souss-Massa
Location
30.43, -9.60Tourism capital, center of beach tourism and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, beach resort, regional commerce, local trade.
Mocambique
Mozambique Nampula
Location
-15.03, 40.73Historic island town, center of colonial heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Mostaganem
Algeria Mostaganem
Location
35.93, 0.08Coastal city with fishing and agricultural traditions.
Economic Role
Fishing, agriculture, port services, tourism.
Zaria
Nigeria Kaduna
Location
11.07, 7.70Historic city, center of Hausa culture and Islamic learning.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, educational center, regional trade, local commerce.
Quelimane
Mozambique Zambézia
Location
-17.87, 36.88Historic port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Onitsha
Nigeria Anambra
Location
6.17, 6.78Commercial city, center of trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Commercial center, regional trade, local commerce, cultural hub.
Blida
Algeria Blida
Location
36.47, 2.83Known as the "City of Roses", famous for its gardens and citrus production.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, food processing, light manufacturing.
Luanda
Angola Luanda
Location
-8.84, 13.29Capital and largest city of Angola, center of Portuguese colonial heritage and modern Angolan culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, major port city, oil industry hub, financial center.
Ouidah
Benin Atlantique
Location
6.37, 2.08Historic slave port, center of Vodun culture and heritage.
Economic Role
Tourism, cultural heritage, traditional crafts, fishing industry.
Cacheu
Guinea-Bissau Cacheu
Location
12.27, -16.17Historic city, center of colonial heritage and fishing.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Allada
Benin Atlantique
Location
6.67, 2.15Historic city, center of Fon culture and traditional administration.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, traditional crafts, local commerce.
Grand-Popo
Benin Mono
Location
6.28, 1.82Coastal city, center of fishing industry and tourism.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, tourism, coastal commerce, traditional crafts.
Kétou
Benin Plateau
Location
7.37, 2.60Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and traditions.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, traditional crafts, local markets, regional commerce.
Antananarivo
Madagascar Analamanga
Location
-18.88, 47.51Capital and largest city of Madagascar, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Praia
Cabo Verde Santiago
Location
14.92, -23.51Capital and largest city of Cabo Verde, center of government and commerce.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, port city, financial center, regional trade hub.
Benguela
Angola Benguela
Location
-12.58, 13.41Historic port city, center of coastal culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
Economic Role
Major port city, fishing industry, tourism, regional commerce.
Ségou
Mali Ségou
Location
13.45, -6.27Historic city, center of Bambara Kingdom and local culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Abomey
Benin Zou
Location
7.18, 1.98Historic capital of Dahomey Kingdom, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism, cultural heritage, traditional crafts, agricultural center.
Gondar
Ethiopia Amhara
Location
12.61, 37.46Historic city, center of Ethiopian Empire and Fasil Ghebbi, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Bamako
Mali Bamako
Location
12.64, -8.00Capital and largest city of Mali, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Fort Dauphin
Madagascar Anosy
Location
-25.03, 46.98Historic town, center of colonial heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional trade, local commerce.