Cleanest Cities in Africa 2024: Surprising Rankings!

Kigali, Rwanda remains the cleanest city in Africa for the second year in a row, while South African metros Cape Town and Johannesburg have fallen in rankings, according to a new report assessing cleanliness and urban management across the continent.

Africa’s Cleanest Cities – 2025 Rankings

The rankings are based on data from ‘The 30 Most Attractive African Cities,’ compiled by The Africa Report, which assesses a range of indicators including cleanliness. This year’s study surveyed nearly 7,900 respondents, primarily permanent residents of the cities, a significant increase from previous surveys.

Cape Town dropped from fifth to ninth place, and Johannesburg experienced a steeper decline, falling from seventh to 29th – one of the largest drops in the overall table.

Rabat, Morocco held onto second place, while Cotonou, Benin rose to third after investments in sanitation and public education. Tangier and Marrakech, both in Morocco, entered the top five.

Other cities that saw declines include Accra, Alexandria, and Lusaka. Nigeria recorded gains, with Abuja climbing to sixth and Lagos rising to 21st.

How Africa’s Cleanest Cities Were Calculated

The shift in rankings is attributed to the expanded survey, which now relies heavily on the opinions of city residents. Residents proved more critical of service delivery, sanitation, and urban management in South African cities.

The report indicates that sustained cleanliness reflects long-term commitment to waste management, enforcement of bylaws, effective municipal leadership, and public participation. The rankings serve as a reminder that resident perceptions are crucial to a city’s reputation.