Top largest and fastest growing cities in Africa

It is notable that a relatively small number of the world’s fastest-growing cities are also among the largest. This is also the case for Africa, as evidenced by the list of Africa’s fastest-growing cities in Table 1, which includes many cities that were previously unknown to me.

It is curious to note that cities such as Kinshasa, Dar es Salaam and Lagos, which have recently risen to prominence on the African (and global) largest city rankings, are often cited as among the fastest growing cities in Africa (and the world). This leads to the question of whether the largest cities have historically been among the fastest growing cities, otherwise they would not be among the largest cities today.

This list has been compiled by World Population Review, a data platform specialising in tracking population growth. It shows the extent of population growth in the most populated African cities between 2022 and 2023.

Lagos, Nigeria – 21 Million

Lagos is situated on the western coast of Nigeria and is the most populous city in the country. Lagos is the financial and business hub of Nigeria, with a population of over 20 million. Lagos is also home to the largest port in Nigeria.

Cairo, Egypt – 20.5 Million

Cairo is the capital of Egypt. Cairo is one of the largest cities in Africa, with a population of over 20 million in the urban area. Cairo is situated in the Nile Delta, in the centre of Egypt. The city is renowned for its rich historic culture, with roots tracing back to Ancient Egypt. It is a significant centre for business, finance and trade.

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Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – 14.3 Million

Kinshasa is situated on the banks of the Congo River, with Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo, situated across the river. The city is the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC economy is significantly influenced by the performance of the Kinshasa economy. The official language is French.

Giza, Egypt – 8.8 Million

Giza is situated in close proximity to the Nile River and Cairo. The pyramids are situated in close proximity to the city centre. It is a significant centre for tourism and trade.

Luanda, Angola – 8.4 Million

Luanda is the capital of Angola and the largest city in the country. The Port of Luanda plays a significant role in the city’s economy. The city is home to the government and headquarters of major companies.