Kenya’s capital city has been ranked the third most attractive city in Africa in the 2025 edition of the Jeune Afrique “African Cities Attractiveness Index.”
The new ranking represents a substantial jump for Nairobi up from sixth in the previous survey signalling rising confidence among residents, investors and global observers alike in the city’s transformation.
The accolade comes even as Kenya and the broader region navigate various socio-economic and political headwinds.
According to the ranking, the improved performance is driven by several factors, chief among them Nairobi’s expanding digital ecosystem, major infrastructure upgrades, and renewed investor interest.
The ranking, published on December 1, offers a multidimensional analysis of African metropolises by combining residents’ perceptions with an objective assessment of economic attractiveness, including foreign direct investment (FDI) flows between 2020 and 2023, and draws on the views of more than 7,800 urban residents across Africa.
At the top of the 2025 ranking is Cairo, which dislodged former leader Cape Town to claim the top spot, Kigali retains second place, praised for its municipal governance, cleanliness and safety.
Cairo, the Egyptian capital, benefited from its geographic location and has seen an exceptional influx of foreign capital, particularly from the Gulf and China. The city is supported by major urban development projects such as the New Administrative Capital, now one of the most striking symbols of national urban transformation strategies.
Despite persistent challenges related to density, mobility, and pollution, Cairo clearly leads in economic attractiveness and foreign direct investment, propelling it to first place.
Kigali continues to earn praise for its remarkable quality of life and effective municipal governance. The Rwandan capital maintains its second-place position and reinforces its status as a model city on the continent, notably thanks to its clean urban environment, safety, and innovation strategy.
Nairobi recorded the most notable rise on the podium, with its improved ranking reflecting gains across multiple dimensions, including quality of life, economic dynamism, infrastructure and access to essential services. Observers also highlighted the city’s growing ambition to position itself as a “continental tech hub.”
As in 2024, Morocco and South Africa demonstrate their strength, each placing four cities in the top 30. Cape Town remains South Africa’s highest ranked city, thanks to its infrastructure quality, economic dynamism, and quality of life.
Johannesburg continues to struggle with security and energy challenges. Casablanca, Morocco’s economic powerhouse, once again outranks Rabat. Tangier enters the top 10, driven by its globally recognized port industrial complex.
According to analysts, this reshuffling reflects deeper structural shifts. Cities across Africa are increasingly competing not just on economic metrics, but on their ability to offer liveable environments, robust public services, modern infrastructure and a gateway to global capital.
Furthermore, the rise of anglophone cities such as Nairobi, compared with some francophone peers, underscores a growing investor preference for flexible, resilient economies.
For Nairobi and by extension Kenya, the ranking is more than symbolic. It signals growing global and continental confidence in the city’s trajectory as a hub for technology, finance, and innovation.
The recognition could attract further foreign direct investment, spur growth in real estate and infrastructure, and encourage regional and global talent to view Nairobi as a viable destination. It also strengthens Nairobi’s case to international investors considering Africa for expansion.
Jeune Afrique Media Group, founded in 1960 in Tunis and now based in Paris, is the leading pan African media company. With publications like Jeune Afrique, The Africa Report, and Africa Business Plus, the group provides in depth coverage of African and global news, offering insights into the continent’s political and economic challenges.
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