Primarily based on the outcomes, each Cape City and Johannesburg slipped down the cleanest cities in Africa record as residents delivered a far harsher verdict on their very own metros.
The rankings used knowledge from ‘The 30 Most Engaging African Cities,’ compiled by The Africa Report – which assesses how African metros are performing throughout a spread of indicators, together with cleanliness.
Whereas Rwanda’s capital Kigali retains its place as Africa’s cleanest metropolis for a second consecutive yr, South African cities have misplaced floor.
Cape City, beforehand ranked fifth, has dropped to ninth place within the 2025 record. Johannesburg has seen a fair steeper fall, tumbling from seventh to twenty ninth – one of many greatest declines within the general desk.
Cleanest Cities in Africa – The Prime 10:
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The shift in rankings is basically attributed to adjustments in how the survey was performed. This yr’s research expanded considerably, surveying almost 7 900 respondents in comparison with fewer than 2 000 beforehand.
Crucially, the respondent pool now consists primarily of everlasting residents of the African cities surveyed.
That change seems to have labored in opposition to South African cities, with native residents proving way more essential of service supply, sanitation and general city administration.
The same sample was seen in cities corresponding to Accra, Alexandria and Lusaka, all of which additionally dropped sharply.
On the high of the cleanest cities record, Kigali stays firmly in first place, adopted by Rabat in Morocco.
Benin’s financial hub, Cotonou, has emerged as a standout performer, climbing to 3rd place after years of sustained funding in sanitation, governance and public training.
Morocco additionally dominates the higher ranks with Tangier and Marrakech coming into the record at fourth and fifth respectively, pushing different cities – together with Cape City – additional down.
Nigeria, in the meantime, has recorded notable beneficial properties. Abuja climbed eight locations to sixth, whereas Lagos additionally improved, rising from twenty seventh to twenty first.
Not a fast repair
In response to the report, cleanliness often displays long-term dedication to waste administration, enforcement of bylaws, efficient municipal management and public buy-in.
For South Africa’s main metros, the rankings function a stark reminder that international fame means little if residents themselves really feel their cities are falling quick.
