African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Soyo
Angola Zaire
Location
-6.13, 12.37Oil industry center, important for Angola's petroleum sector.
Economic Role
Oil industry hub, petroleum processing, port services.
Cape Coast
Ghana Central
Location
5.10, -1.25Historic city, center of colonial heritage and education.
Economic Role
Educational center, cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce.
Douala
Cameroon Littoral
Location
4.05, 9.70Largest city and economic capital, center of commerce and industry.
Economic Role
Economic capital, major port city, industrial center, financial hub.
Ogbomoso
Nigeria Oyo
Location
8.13, 4.25Historic city, center of Yoruba culture and local administration.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, administrative center, regional trade, local commerce.
Cape Town
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.92, 18.42Legislative capital and oldest city, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Saint-Louis
Senegal Saint-Louis
Location
16.02, -16.50Historic city, former capital and center of colonial heritage, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Stellenbosch
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.93, 18.87Historic city, center of wine production and local culture.
Economic Role
Wine industry, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Kumasi
Ghana Ashanti
Location
6.69, -1.62Historic city, center of Ashanti Kingdom and culture.
Economic Role
Commercial center, cultural hub, regional trade, transportation hub.
Bissau
Guinea-Bissau Bissau
Location
11.86, -15.60Capital and largest city of Guinea-Bissau, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Paarl
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.72, 18.97Wine city, center of wine production and local culture.
Economic Role
Wine industry, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Foumban
Cameroon Ouest
Location
5.72, 10.90Historic city, center of Bamum culture and traditional crafts.
Economic Role
Cultural center, traditional crafts, tourism, local commerce.
Mahajanga
Madagascar Boeny
Location
-15.72, 46.32Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Porto-Novo
Benin Ouémé
Location
6.50, 2.63Political capital of Benin, center of government and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, government services, cultural heritage, tourism.
Port Louis
Mauritius Port Louis
Location
-20.16, 57.50Capital and largest city of Mauritius, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Zinder
Niger Zinder
Location
13.80, 8.98Historic city, center of Hausa culture and administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, cultural heritage, regional trade, local commerce.
Ouahigouya
Burkina Faso Nord
Location
13.58, -2.42Northern major city, center of Mossi culture and traditional administration.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Essaouira
Morocco Marrakech-Safi
Location
31.52, -9.77Historic city, center of Portuguese heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Sumbe
Angola Cuanza Sul
Location
-11.21, 13.84Coastal city, center of fishing and agriculture.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, agricultural center, port services.
Toamasina
Madagascar Atsinanana
Location
-18.15, 49.40Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Victoria
Seychelles Mahé
Location
-4.62, 55.45Capital and largest city of Seychelles, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political and economic capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Plettenberg Bay
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-34.05, 23.37Coastal town, center of tourism and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.