List of 10 Best Places to Live in Africa

Are there best places to live in Africa? Unfortunately, there are people (Africans) who seek to move and settle abroad in places like America, Britain or even Germany.

You cannot blame them since they thirst for better lives in terms of sound education systems, infrastructure and health.

However, do you know that in Africa there are countries where you can experience the same if not better lives?

So, if you are seeking greener pastures in Africa, here is a list of the best African countries to live in 2020.

Best Places to Live in Africa

1. Johannesburg

Johannesburg is one of the wealthiest cities in Africa. Located in South Africa, Johannesburg offers a lot of investments and career opportunities. Johannesburg’s airport is one of the best in the world and is home to the largest human-made forest.

The city is clean and adorned by shopping malls, hotels and restaurants.

Its main economic activities are mining, manufacturing, Information Technology, Real estate and a vibrant leisure and retail markets.

Area: 3,357 km2

Population (2019): 5,635,127

Per Capita Income (GDP): GDP   US$76 billion (2014)[9]

2. Windhoek, NAMIBIA

Windhoek makes it to the list of 10 best places to live in Africa. As the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek is the centre of cultural, social and economic activities.

Notwithstanding being small in size, it has a bubbling business district. It offers excellent health care and good education services.

The main economic activities in Windhoek are exports, manufacturing and agriculture.

Area: 5,133 km2

Population (2011): 325,858

Per Capita Income:  $10,320 PPP (2017)

4. Tunis, Tunisia

Tunis is also known to as “Grand Tunis”. The life expectancy in Tunis is an average of 74.6 years old per person. It’s also the second happiest place to live in Africa.

A total of 2,700,000 people call this third largest city in the Maghreb region.

The capital city of Tunisia boasts an ever-increasing manufacturing sector hence a continuous increase in GDP. It’s also among the first Muslim country to become a UNESCO world heritage site.

Area: 2,668 km2

Population: 2,700,000

Per capita Income: 11,490 PPP dollars (2017)

4. Nairobi, Kenya

The Green city in the sun as it was fondly known, Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya.

Apart from the beautiful weather conditions, Nairobi has a good number of multinational companies that use it as the centre of their operations in East Africa and Africa at large.

Nairobi boasts for affordable housing and internet connectivity; the Technology market is up-and-coming.

Choosing to live in Nairobi gives you a chance to enjoy great weather, excellent social amenities and exciting tourist attractions.

Area: 696 km2

Population (2019): 4,397,073

GDP: 14.9 billion USD

6. Dar es Salaam

Another best city to live in is Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam is the economic centre and political of Tanzania. It’s the third fastest-growing city in Africa.

Its weather is tropical all year round.

Boasts of a vibrant education system and is home to the oldest public university, the famous University of Dar es salaam.

Apart from the beautiful tourist attractions, the people are very welcoming. Therefore you instantly feel at home when you land there.

Area: 1,393 square kilometers

Population: 6,701,650

GDP: $1100

6. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Looking for the best education standards in Africa? Addis Ababa is the place to be.

Its stable economy has attracted an exodus of investors and visitors from all over the world.

It is a glorious city for retirement because it offers prosperous and calm suburbs.

Area: 527 km2

Population: 3,384,569

GDP: 80.56 billion USD (2017)

7. Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is also one of the ten best places to live in Africa.

It is home to over 30,000 ex-pats. The Egyptian people are welcoming too.

It is home to the Pyramids of Giza and other tourist attraction sites.

The main economic activities are tourism, textile production, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction, cement and metal manufacturing.

Additionally, the people of Cairo engage in agricultural activities.

Area: 606 km2

Population (2019): 20,485,000

GDP: $302.256 billion

8. Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali Rwanda makes it to the list of the best places to live in Africa 2020.

Living and working in Kigali might not be the first choice on your mind given the genocide that tainted its image in 1994.

But, so that you know Rwanda has worked so hard to change the worlds negative view and be a habitable nation.

Presently, things are different in this city as its economy has risen so fast. Also, it is one of the cleanest cities to live and work.

So put aside your fears, things on the ground are different.

Area: 730 km²

Population: 1,095,000

GDP: 9.51 billion US dollars

9. Abuja, Nigeria

Nigeria’s capital city Abuja qualifies to be on the list of African countries you can opt to live.

If you are looking for a city where your business can thrive, then this is the place to be.

It offers excellent infrastructure and a well-planned city. Proper city planning means you can live and move around comfortably.

Abuja is one of the wealthiest and most expensive cities in Africa. Therefore means it is not for the faint-hearted.

You have to work hard to be able to afford life in Abuja.

Area: 1,769 km2

Population: 3,095,000

GDP: 1,951.3 USD

10. Luanda, Angola

The main economic feature here is oil production.

Also, the nation’s seaport is in Luanda. The port ensures that you get to enjoy a variety of businesses.

What’s more, its infrastructure is well balanced, making it the only African city where an individual can take 45 minutes in traffic, unlike other countries with seaport cities.

Living in Luanda, you get to enjoy excellent health care and economic growth.

Area: 116 km²

Population: 2.572 million

GDP: 124.2 billion USD

Final Thoughts On List of 10 Best Places to Live in Africa

Not only are these ten countries the best to live in, but you also get to enjoy economic growth as an individual.

You can check them out according to what you desire to achieve. However, it is also good to note that different countries have different laws regarding immigration.

Therefore after you have decided where you want to go ensure you read and understand their immigration rules. Also, process your travel documents, to avoid inconveniences.

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Khaosa is a talented writer who likes to play with words and facts to write amazing pieces. She has contributed many articles on the platform with a goal of empowering Kenyans.

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