As African urbanisation accelerates, the rise of expensive cities poses huge challenges for the continent’s people, legislators and economic progress. Though urbanisation is generally a good thing – cities like Lagos, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Cape Town have become thriving economic hubs, attracting investment and talent – it’s hard to ignore the fact that they tend to come with a high cost of living. The situation raises a number of issues that could hamper long-term growth and accentuate socio-economic disparities.
As a result, the inability of many people to pay for housing has led to the proliferation of shanty towns and informal settlements. In Europe, low-income families are forced to live in cramped and poor conditions, as rents in prime locations can be exorbitant.
What’s more, the price of basic necessities such as food, transport and medical care has risen. High commodity costs are the result of inflation and import dependency, making it difficult for the average person to meet their needs.
Meanwhile, limited employment prospects and stagnating incomes, particularly in the formal sector, compound this scenario, creating a growing income disparity, even over the past year.
The top African cities in Mercer’s 2024 cost of living ranking are Bangui (14, up 12 places), Djibouti (18) and N’Djamena (21).
The cheapest cities in the region are Blantyre (221), Lagos (225, down 178 places) and Abuja (226)”.
The 10 most expensive African cities to live in 2024
01. Bangui, Central African Republic:
The capital and largest city of the Central African Republic, Bangui has undergone rapid urbanisation, which has led to significant economic and social changes. Despite being the country’s political and economic centre, the rising cost of living is a major obstacle for its citizens and for the country’s overall growth. It is ranked 14th in Mercer’s global index.
02. Djibouti, Djibouti :
The Republic of Djibouti’s capital, Djibouti, occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East. As a major port and logistics hub on the Red Sea, Djibouti has undergone considerable urbanisation and economic development. But this expansion is accompanied by a high cost of living. It ranks 18th in the world.
03. N’Djamena, Chad :
Housing costs are one of the most common problems in N’Djamena. Demand for housing has risen as a consequence of urbanisation, which has caused the cost of rent to skyrocket. As result, many residents are forced to live in cramped and uncomfortable conditions, particularly those on the lowest incomes. The city is ranked 24th on Mercer’s global list.
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04. Conakry, Guinée :
Le coût élevé de la vie à Conakry ne se limite pas au logement, mais englobe également les besoins fondamentaux tels que l’alimentation, les soins de santé et les transports. Plusieurs facteurs contribuent au coût élevé de la vie dans la capitale guinéenne, notamment le logement. Elle est classée 26e sur la liste de Mercer.
05. Dakar, Sénégal :
Le coût élevé de la vie à Dakar semble exacerber les inégalités économiques. Alors qu’un petit pourcentage de la population, y compris les expatriés et les locaux les plus riches, peut se permettre des prix exorbitants, le reste de la population a du mal à satisfaire ses besoins de base. Ce fossé économique se traduit par des variations importantes dans les conditions de vie, l’accès aux services et la qualité de vie en général. La ville est classée 39e sur la liste de Mercer.
06. Libreville, Gabon :
Sur la côte ouest de l’Afrique centrale, la capitale du Gabon est Libreville, qui sert de centre administratif et commercial majeur. Libreville est devenue une destination d’investissement populaire pour les étrangers et les entreprises en raison de sa position stratégique et de ses installations de pointe. Cependant, le coût élevé de la vie dans la ville pose de sérieux problèmes à ses citoyens. Elle se classe au 45e rang mondial.
07. Douala, Cameroun :
Douala, principale ville et centre commercial du Cameroun, est une métropole prospère reconnue pour son port, son industrie et son commerce dynamique. En tant que centre commercial, Douala voit affluer un grand nombre de personnes à la recherche de meilleures perspectives économiques. En conséquence, la ville se targue d’avoir un coût de la vie élevé. Elle se classe au 63e rang de l’indice Mercer.
08. Victoria, Seychelles:
The largest city in the Seychelles, Victoria is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, rich culture and position as a tropical paradise. Despite the beauty of its environment, Victoria faces a major challenge: the high cost of living. In Mercer’s cost of living rankings, Victoria is 64th, one place lower than Douala.
09. Brazzaville, Congo:
Economic inequality is exacerbated by the high cost of living in this Central African city. Some people, such as expatriates and wealthy residents, can afford to pay high prices, while others struggle to make ends meet. The financial gap is reflected in differences in living conditions, access to services and overall quality of life. The city of Kinshasa is ranked 74th on Mercer’s list.
10. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo :
One of the most pressing concerns in Kinshasa is the exorbitant cost of housing. Due to rapid population growth, poor urban planning and inadequate infrastructure development, the city needs more affordable housing. Kinshasa is ranked 79th in the Mercer cost of living index.
