Africa's Top Cities According to Oxford Economics' 2026 Global Index

Cairo, Accra, and Port Louis have emerged as the top performers in Africa, according to the recently published Global Cities Index for 2026 by the British consultancy Oxford Economics. This comprehensive ranking categorizes the world’s largest cities based on a detailed analysis of 1,000 cities worldwide, utilizing 27 specific indicators spread across five key categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. Notably, Cairo made significant strides, climbing an impressive 47 places to secure the 255th position globally.

The Global Cities Index evaluates cities through various economic and social lenses, measuring factors such as GDP, employment growth, educational attainment, air quality, political stability, and the overall business environment. Each city is awarded scores ranging from 0 to 100 for each indicator, which are then aggregated to form category scores and an overall score. The Economics category holds the highest weight at 30%, while Human Capital and Quality of Life each contribute 25%, and Environment and Governance account for 10% each.

Cairo, as Africa’s highest-ranked city, excelled particularly in the Human Capital category, where it ranked 42nd globally. However, it faced challenges in the Economics category, where it stood at 196th. Following Cairo, Accra, the capital city of Ghana, ranked second in Africa and 302nd worldwide, demonstrating strong performance in Human Capital by securing the 83rd position globally. Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, followed closely as the third-best city in Africa, ranked 305th globally.

Other notable African cities in the ranking include Nairobi at 327th, Algiers at 359th, and Casablanca at 384th. South Africa’s representation includes Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban, showcasing a robust presence in the top 50. Both Morocco and Egypt dominate the list, each contributing six cities, while South Africa adds four to the mix.

In the global context, the top ten cities are led by New York, London, and Paris, with New York and London maintaining their positions due to their substantial economies and robust labor markets. Paris remains firmly in third place.

As reported by ecofinagency.com.