10 major African cities with the highest rent prices as the year ends

The problems of high rent and soaring rent indices have grown more apparent in African cities as 2025 draws to a close.

• Housing expenses dominate budgets for urban dwellers, affecting financial and social dynamics.
• High rents impact mobility as people choose distant housing, influencing commute costs and productivity.
• Businesses face challenges due to commercial rent costs, leading to relocations and operational adjustments.
• Policy intervention is needed to address housing affordability, infrastructure development, and urban integration.

Housing expenses have dominated monthly budgets for many urban dwellers, influencing not only individual finances but also more general economic and social effects.

This year has brought to light the profound impact that high rent may have on homes, companies, and the general course of urban development, especially in countries like Nigeria that went through one of its toughest economic years in recent history.

High rents have also impacted mobility.

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To locate inexpensive housing, individuals are frequently forced to live further away from employers, increasing daily travel costs and commute time.

By year-end, this had emerged as a significant contributor to productivity losses and social tension, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income households.

2025 has also been a difficult year for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and startups working in high-rent areas.

Commercial rent remains one of the most significant costs for businesses, pushing many to relocate, raise prices, decrease personnel, or scale back operations.

For businesses looking to capitalize on urban marketplaces, high rental rates have limited access to critical hubs, making it more difficult to develop and expand.

Fortunately, there has been a wide adoption of work-from-home policies in Africa’s corporate space.

During the year, high rent continually fueled inequality as informal settlements and overcrowded housing became more pronounced, particularly in places with tight rental markets.

Families that cannot afford official housing are frequently compelled to live in shared or poor conditions, which have a negative influence on their health, education, and quality of life.

This imbalance had entrenched geographic segregation and decreased access to basic services in some African cities.

African cities must prioritize housing affordability by building subsidized apartments, promoting low-cost rentals, controlling commercial rents in high-demand areas, and investing in infrastructure that connects peripheral districts to urban cores.

With that said, here are the African cities that have the highest rent costs as the year comes to a close, according to data from Numbeo.