Top 5 African cities with the highest quality of life mid-way into 2025

In a continent known for rapid urbanization amidst significant developmental issues, some African cities are gradually emerging as a model of excellent quality of life.

Business Insider Africa presents the top 5 African cities with the best quality of life index mid-way into 2025.
This list is courtesy of Numbeo.
Most cities on the list are in South Africa.

As the mid-point of 2025 rolls along, several African cities have been exemplary when it comes to cleanliness, security, contemporary infrastructure, effective governance, and a growing middle class, earning them a spot among Africa’s most livable cities.

Kigali, for example, Rwanda’s capital city, has been such a revelation for the continent that it yet again played host to the NBA Basketball Africa League, an international basketball competition hosted by the U.S. via the NBA, which is rapidly gaining traction.

Unlike many African cities plagued by traffic jams and erratic public services, some African cities, similar to Kigali, boast relatively efficient public transportation, regular electricity supply, and access to clean water.

While Kigali doesn’t yet rank amongst the cities on the continent with the highest quality of life, its fast-paced development is nonetheless very impressive.

Currently, some of Africa’s historically advanced cities, most of which are in South Africa, still dominate the list, standing out as examples to other regions on the continent.

A city with a good standard of living becomes a magnet for competent workers, which consequently bolsters the city’s revenue.

When fundamental necessities such as clean water, dependable energy, safe neighborhoods, and efficient public transportation are satisfied, local talent is more likely to stay.

Furthermore, international professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs see such towns as potential hubs for both work and leisure, which adds to the city’s economic dynamism.

Multinational corporations and foreign investors frequently select locations with secure and comfortable living conditions for their operations.

A high quality of life indicates well-governed institutions, dependable infrastructure, and social stability, all of which are important considerations in lowering investment risk.

This makes such towns more appealing for setting up regional headquarters or innovation hubs.

With that said, here are the 5 African cities with the highest quality of life as we enter the second half of the year, according to data from Numbeo.

Unlike the quality of life list at the start of the year, Windhoek, Namibia, has gotten a spot on the list, ousting Morocco’s Casablanca.