- African cities are making progress in becoming smarter and more sustainable
- Cairo is the highest-ranked African city at 117th, highlighting challenges in infrastructure and affordable housing
- Nairobi dropped to 136th, facing growing challenges in basic services, healthcare access, safety, and employment
- Affordable housing, transport infrastructure, and urban density management are critical issues in the rankings
IMD’s Smart Cities Index 2025 offers valuable insights into how cities around the world, including those in Africa, are becoming smarter, more connected and more sustainable. According to the report, African cities achieved mixed results, highlighting notable improvements but persistent urban challenges.
An aerial view of Cairo, Africa’s highest-ranked city in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, as urban centers across the continent push for smarter, more connected futures.
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Cairo, the highest-ranked African city in the report, came in 117th, reflecting ongoing challenges in infrastructure and affordable housing. Rabat was the second African city on the list (123rd), while Cape Town ranked 124th, indicating little progress but significant room for improvement.
Cape Town ranks among Africa’s top smart cities in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, recognized for its strides in digital infrastructure and urban innovation.
Anyone visiting Cape Town would be impressed by its natural beauty. Its landscape features forests, beaches, mountains, and the majestic Table Mountain that looms over the city and bay.You can reach the top of Table Mountain by hiking or taking the far less strenuous cable car. Despite being fit, I chose the latter option, which allowed me to spend more time at the top. The views overlooking the ocean are an Instagrammer's dream. For those who prefer to get a bird' s-eye view of Table Mountain, climbing the nearby Lions Head Mountain is also possible, though there is no cable-car option.
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Algiers ranked 128th, while Abuja improved slightly, moving up two places to 133rd. Lagos also moved up to 135th, showing some progress in its smart city development. However, Nairobi dropped to 136th – five places lower than last year. The decline highlights the growing challenges facing the city, including inadequate basic services, limited access to healthcare, safety concerns and high unemployment.
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Lagos shows modest progress in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, reflecting ongoing efforts to tackle urban challenges and enhance digital connectivity.
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Accra (141) and Tunis (142) remained at the bottom of the rankings due to persistent housing affordability issues, infrastructure limitations and governance challenges. The rankings highlight critical issues such as affordable housing, transport infrastructure and managing urban density.
Housing costs and limited public transport pose significant barriers to quality of life and economic productivity in cities such as Nairobi, Lagos and Accra.
African cities that improved their rankings demonstrate that strategic actions in infrastructure and governance can deliver tangible benefits. Abuja and Lagos offer encouraging examples of incremental progress through ongoing urban development initiatives.
The Smart Cities Index assesses cities based on two main pillars: structure and technology. Each pillar assesses five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. The rankings are based on survey data from 120 residents in each city, weighted over the past three years (2025, 2024, and 2023) to provide a comprehensive overview of progress.
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Ranking of African Cities in IMD Smart City Index 2025
| Global Rank | City | Country | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | Cairo | Egypt | CC |
| 123 | Rabat | Morocco | CC |
| 124 | Cape Town | South Africa | C |
| 128 | Algiers | Algeria | C |
| 133 | Abuja | Nigeria | C |
| 135 | Lagos | Nigeria | C |
| 136 | Nairobi | Kenya | D |
| 141 | Accra | Ghana | D |
| 142 | Tunis | Tunisia | D |
