Top 5 African cities with the most expensive rent at the start of 2025

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of affordable rent as African cities continue to expand. It is fundamental to sustainable development and economic resilience.

Business Insider Africa presents the top 5 African cities with the most expensive rent at the start of 2025.
This list is courtesy of Numbeo.
Lagos ranks number 1 on the list.

Governments, urban planners, and stakeholders must prioritize affordable housing options to guarantee that African cities continue to be inclusive, wealthy, and habitable for all citizens in 2025 and beyond.

As more people across numerous African countries opt for urban residency be it for economic reasons or otherwise, the conversation surrounding the price of rent becomes more prevalent.

A high rent cost raises the question of how important said urban centers are, considering that a lot of jobs these days can be done remotely.

While the importance of urban centers such as proximity to better infrastructure and economic opportunities, cannot be disputed, the cost of living against revenue can always be weighed.

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High rents can strain household finances, leaving families with little discretionary income to spend on needs such as food, education, healthcare, and transportation.

However, as mentioned earlier, urban centers are pivotal for financial growth, and even cities with very high rents are still highly sought after.

With that said, here are the 5 African cities with the highest rent at the start of 2025, according to Numbeo.