African Cities Timeline

Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises

Mtwapa

Kenya Kilifi

Location
-3.93, 39.75

Coastal town near Mombasa, center of tourism and hospitality industry.

Economic Role

Tourism, hospitality services, fishing industry, regional commerce.

Mumias

Kenya Kakamega

Location
0.33, 34.48

Small town in Kakamega County, center of local community.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, local markets, small-scale commerce.

Mutomo

Kenya Kitui

Location
-1.58, 38.02

Small town in Kitui County, center of local community.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, local markets, small-scale commerce.

Namanga

Kenya Kajiado

Location
-2.55, 36.78

Border town with Tanzania, center of cross-border trade.

Economic Role

Border trading post, cross-border commerce, limited local services.

Naro Moru

Kenya Nyeri

Location
-0.17, 37.02

Small town near Mount Kenya, center of tourism and farming community.

Economic Role

Tourism, agricultural services, limited local commerce.

Ruiru

Kenya Kiambu

Location
-1.15, 36.95

Industrial town near Nairobi, center of manufacturing and suburban development.

Economic Role

Manufacturing, industrial services, suburban commerce.

Shimoni

Kenya Kwale

Location
-4.65, 39.38

Small coastal town, center of fishing community and tourism.

Economic Role

Fishing industry, tourism, limited local commerce.

Simunye

Eswatini Lubombo

Location
-26.22, 31.95

Sugar town, known for sugar production and local culture.

Economic Role

Sugar industry, agricultural processing, regional commerce.

Takaungu

Kenya Kilifi

Location
-3.52, 39.90

Small coastal town, center of local community and fishing industry.

Economic Role

Fishing industry, local markets, limited commerce.

Ugunja

Kenya Siaya

Location
0.18, 34.32

Small town in Siaya County, center of local community.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, local markets, small-scale commerce.

Watamu

Kenya Kilifi

Location
-3.35, 40.02

Coastal resort town, center of tourism and marine conservation.

Economic Role

Tourism, hospitality services, marine conservation, fishing industry.

Webuye

Kenya Bungoma

Location
0.62, 34.77

Industrial town in Bungoma County, center of paper manufacturing.

Economic Role

Paper manufacturing, industrial services, regional commerce.

Orapa

Botswana Central

Location
-21.33, 25.37

Diamond mining town, center of diamond mining industry.

Economic Role

Diamond mining center, mineral processing, industrial services, regional commerce.

Selibe-Phikwe

Botswana Central

Location
-21.97, 27.83

Mining town, center of copper and nickel mining industry.

Economic Role

Mining center, mineral processing, industrial services, regional commerce.

Adjarra

Benin Ouémé

Location
6.52, 2.58

Suburb of Porto-Novo, center of local community and agriculture.

Economic Role

Agricultural center, local markets, suburban development.

Akpro-Missérété

Benin Ouémé

Location
6.45, 2.55

Suburb of Porto-Novo, center of urban development and commerce.

Economic Role

Residential area, commercial services, suburban development.

Belas

Angola Luanda

Location
-8.90, 13.20

Suburb of Luanda, center of residential and commercial development.

Economic Role

Residential area, commercial services, suburban development.

Bimbo

Central African Republic Ombella-M'Poko

Location
4.25, 18.42

Suburb of Bangui, center of urban development and commerce.

Economic Role

Residential area, commercial services, suburban development.

Cacuaco

Angola Luanda

Location
-8.78, 13.42

Suburb of Luanda, center of port and industrial activities.

Economic Role

Port services, industrial center, logistics hub.

Caxito

Angola Bengo

Location
-8.58, 13.66

Provincial capital, center of local administration and agriculture.

Economic Role

Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade.

Cazenga

Angola Luanda

Location
-8.92, 13.25

Suburb of Luanda, center of urban development and commerce.

Economic Role

Residential area, commercial services, suburban development.