East Africa's Capital, Nairobi City : photo gallery

Kalanga89 said:
yeah nshaifika dar na kampala
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hahaha, pole, that is the reason why you think nairobi is the best city in africa. nakubaliana na ninyi, you are ahead of us with our dsm or kampala, but still nairobi is an "african city" not a world class city compared to cape town, europeans cities and towns, americans and asians. i actually was wondering if you have been outside Africa, naona uelewa wako upo limited to east africa...hahaha.sikulaumu.
 
brother, have you been in cape town or j'burg? have you been in NY or any of those cities you mentioned? sura za watu wa New York utalinganisha na sura zisizo na matumaini za watu wa Nairobi? sura za watu wa capetown utalinganisha na sura zilizokata tamaa za watu wa Nairobi? hata kama you have poor people in New york europe etc, their povery is different from the african poverty. the number of poverty striken people in Nairobi is larger than that of New York, europe or cape town. the recreations, gardening etc of nairobi is still too african compared to other developed countries, thats why i said nairobi really a major city in east africa, bigger than dar kampala etc but it's still "an african city". you would find a nairobi type cities in a poverty stricken regions of the western world, you still have long way to go just like any other african country.
 
Nakubaliana na Hute kidesign ila Nairobi imetoka mbali na inaenda mbali na kuna sehemu nyingi za Nairobi ambazo hamna tofauti na world class city at all.
 


The Top 10 Most Liveable Cities in Africa
Posted by Yolaan Begbie
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Thinking about making a move to the
continent for business, family, or adventure?
Africa.com has the insider information you
need to make the best decisions about your
move in our list of the most liveable cities in
Africa.
1. CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities
in the world, let alone Africa, having already
won a number of prestigious international
travel awards. It’s where most people in South
Africa wish they lived. It possesses all of the
amenities and sophistication of a urban area,
yet the pace is decidedly relaxed, with the city
being nestled between the ocean and the
mountains, creating an ideal mix of work and
play. A short drive away and you can find
yourself in one of the hundreds of vineyards
that produce some of the world’s top wines.
While summers (October–April) are lovely,
winters can be dreary with much fog, rain, and
wind. That’s why some would prefer to call
Cape Town the “Windy City”—it’s in fact
known at the “Mother City” and is the
caretaker of the insurance and now
burgeoning digital sector. It’s also where
you’ll find the advertising execs and creatives,
with many retailers and fashion designers
headquartered there. Housing options vary,
from Tuscan-styled homes (a trend seen
across the country), funky “SoHo”-style
downtown lofts, and gated urban estates.
While crime rates remain high, security is
generally considered to be less of a concern
than in Johannesburg, and is evidenced
through the conspicuous absence of the
ubiquitous high walls and electric fences on
each and every home as seen in some parts of
Johannesburg and Pretoria. Like many 2010
World Cup host cities, Cape Town’s public
transport infrastructure was given a boost,
primarily through the MyCiTi rapid bus service.
Routes are still limited though, so unless
you’re willing to commute via railway or
chance the minivan taxis, it still is the kind of
city where it’s best to have your own car to
get around.
2. ACCRA, GHANA
In addition to being a wonderful urban home for
roughly 20 percent of Ghana’s 20 million total
population, Accra has become the leisure
destination of choice for upscale Nigerians who
take a quick 45-minute flight to spend time at
their Accra weekend homes. Ghana’s capital
city is a sophisticated urban area, with a full
range of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and
increasingly, shopping malls. There are many
affluent areas, including East Legon—the
location of the city’s only traditional shopping
complex, Accra Mall. Another popular option is
Osu, locally referred to as “Oxford Street”, where
many go to shop and hang out. The downtown
area has seen much development over the last
decade and the range of serviced high rise
apartments makes it an easy location to set up
home quickly. The warmth of the Ghanaian
people is an asset and is an important part of
what attracts Nigerians to want to spend their
leisure time here. The tropical climate makes it
all the more appealing. Things are changing for
the better, and fast. Many citizens who left to
the West are returning home, bringing with
them enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and degrees from
top universities abroad. Coupled with the
government’s commitment to investing
proceeds into social and physical infrastructure,
one can only imagine that Accra will become
even more liveable in the years to come.
3. NAIROBI, KENYA
Nairobi is fast becoming the African city of
choice for multinational companies seeking a
foothold for their African operations. Nairobi is
a gracious city that possesses much of the
sophistication of the large South African cities,
but provides these offerings in a “kinder and
gentler” way. General Electric and the
Rockefeller Foundation recently chose Nairobi
to anchor the African operations, so too the
likes of China’s CCTV news broadcaster. While
there is some tension surrounding the
upcoming elections, the government is
generally considered stable. Housing options
include many comfortable suburban style
homes at affordable prices relative to other
African cities, often with a reasonable amount
of land. Apartment compounds have also
sprung up in recent years, many with the
comforts of swimming pools and fitness
centres. The technology industry offers much
promise, and internet connectivity is
considered tone he best on the continent
today. Getting around remains tricky. Best to
buy your own vehicle though with import
taxes, it’s fairly expensive. Other options that
offer quite an experience include the mini-bus
matatu to boda-boda motorcycle taxi—both
mainly used by locals.
4. JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
From the moment you step off the plane at OR
Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), it
becomes clear why Johannesburg is
considered a world-class city. ORTIA rivals
some of the best airports in developed worlds.
It’s sleek, modern, expansive and offers a
wealth of stores and restaurants, much like
many parts of South Africa’s and Africa’s
economic capital. Since the late 1800s,
thousands migrated to the city seeking
employment at one of the many gold mines.
The quarries have since dried up but an influx
of people continues today. They come from
other parts of the country and from across the
continent, to work and to make money.
Johannesburg is also an attractive base for
many African companies as it provides easier
access to international opportunities. In recent
years there has been efforts to revive the
neglected inner city. Money has been invested
by local government to clean the streets, and
renovate the derelict buildings. It’s paid off,
with the private sector now playing a role, too.
The area is home to the plush headquarters of
AngloGold Ashanti and others. New apartment
blocks are being filled up and plans are being
made for a new mall. Malls though, are not
hard to find. Apart from the larger Sandton
City and Eastgate mall, virtually every suburb
has one or two of their own. Though a
concrete jungle in some parts, many are
surprised by how lush and green the city
actually is. In fact, Johannesburg holds the
title of the largest man-made forest in the
world!
5. GABORONE, BOTSWANA
Though young—having only gained
independence from Britain in the 1960s—
Gaborone has flourished. Politically stable and
economically buoyant, Botswana’s capital is
considered to be a peaceful city. It’s likely
partly due to it being small in size, with a
population of just over 230,000, but still offers
a diverse mix of people, and places to see.
Gabs, as it is popularly known, is located in a
country known for being one of the world’s
largest producers of rough diamonds. The
precious stone continues to play a major role
in the city’s development. Just recently,
leading diamond producer de Beers announced
it would be moving some of its operations to
the sub-Saharan country from London. Apart
from diamonds, the economy is also driven by
its beef exports, the majority of which is sold
in Europe as well as the growing tourism
industry. The development of modern sports
facilities saw the city successfully hosting the
Africa Junior Athletics Championships in
2011, and has made it a popular contender to
host the 2014 African Youth Games. Gaborone
is also well connected to South Africa’s
capital, Pretoria. It’s strategic location means
that you’ll find South African stores in
Gaborone’s many large malls. It shares many
similarities with its neighbour, though is
considered to be somewhat safer.
6. LIBREVILLE, GABON
Modern and vibrant, the country’s largest city
is home to just over half a million people.
They’re young (nationally, half are 19 and
younger) and urbanized. School enrollment
rate in Gabon is over 70 percent and literacy is
close to 90 percent. In Libreville, it’s over 63
percent, which translates into a most capable
service staff in restaurants, hotels, and shops.
The French influence extends beyond being the
official language, providing for a very stylish
city that boasts a grand boulevard with
beautiful architecture and monuments. This
city on the beach makes the transition from
work to play very easy. Libreville’s newly built
Stade d’Angondjé stadium recently host the
final match of the 2012 African Cup of
Nations. Preparation for the sporting event
saw increased government investment in
improving roads and other public spaces.
More property development projects are also
popping up across the city to keep up with
rapid urbanization. Oil has been the main
driver of economic growth here, but with
reserves declining, there’s increased efforts to
investment in other mining production
projects. Away from the mines, you’re spoilt
with vast natural landscapes. The country’s
government made a commitment a decade
ago to set aside more than 10 percent of total
land for national parks and nature reserves.
Close to Libreville, there’s the Akanda
National Park, one the more than a dozen
across the country thats helped it become a
popular eco-tourist destination.
7. TUNIS, TUNISIA
A lot has changed here since the Arab Spring
unrest started nearly two years ago. While
unemployment remains a concern and the new
government still works toward stabilizing the
economy, the smallest country in North Africa
is becoming one of the fastest developing. The
first half of this year, saw a GDP growth rate of
3.5 percent, with a steady increase in the
manufacturing sector. French territory for over
seven decades, there’s a rich diversity in the
culture here—African, Arab and European. Along
modern infrastructure, the old world remains
through the Medina of Tunis, one of the first
Arabo-Muslim towns, and now also a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. People live long—there’s a
life expectancy of 74.6 years. It might have
something to do with the picturesque setting of
the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop. People
here are happy too, says the Happy Planet
Index (HPI). Measuring sustainable well-being,
Tunisia was named the second happiest place
in Africa (after Algeria). Once on the wealthiest
cities in the Muslim world, Tunisia’s capital is
now also considered to be the least expensive
city (for expats) in the region. Getting around is
fairly easy with the extensive rail network that
links the capital to other parts of the country.
8. DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam is a rapidly growing city, from
the new infrastructural projects to its people,
literally. With an annual population increase
of over three percent each year, it’s the third
fastest growing city in Africa—and one of the
fastest in the world! It also has a large
expatriate community. Though no longer the
country’s capital, Dar es Salaam is the largest
city in Tanzania and remains the political and
economic hub. There has been great
investment in education here, with an
extensive programme to provide free primary
schooling, efforts that were lauded by
international bodies when enrolment rates
reached over 90 percent. The city is also home
to the largest and oldest public university in
Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam,
which recently celebrated its 50-year
anniversary and has seen a sharp increase in
the number of registered students. There’s
also the Institute of Technology (DIT), one of
the leading institutions providing technical
training in the region. There’s also plans to
revamp the neglected railway transport
network. Millions has also been spent over the
past five years to improve the cities roads,
making travelling a lot more efficient. Situated
close to the equator, the city enjoys tropical
conditions for most of the year. Though Dar es
Salaam has its own magnificent beaches
(including many exclusive resorts), the island
of Zanzibar is also just a short ferry ride away.
9. WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA
From the language to the distinct architecture,
the German influence on Windhoek is evident—
a lasting reminder of Namibia’s early colonial
history. Don’t expect big city living; the most
recent count puts total population just over
320,000. The small but active city is home to
just about every national government
institution, making it the country’s political,
cultural, social, and economic capital. If
Namibia is best known for the Namib Desert,
the oldest in the world, then Windhoek is best
known for its beer. Windhoek Lager is one of
the fastest-growing premium beers in the
region and is sold abroad in over 20 countries.
The old brewery still stands tall in the city’s
central business district and now hosts many
cool restaurant, bars and shots. When visiting
there and other parts of the city, expect to
meet a diverse range of people with a
multitude of background, from the indigenous
San, Hereo, and Kavango groups to expat
Europeans. The city is attractive for many
reasons: it’s clean, relatively safe and getting
around the city is easy. Both taxis and buses
provide efficient transport and it helps that the
roads are well-maintained.
10. KIGALI, RWANDA
From the expansion of its Central Business
District to the recent road construction project
to help ease traffic congestion, Rwanda’s
capital is slowly becoming one of the most
rapidly developing cities on the continent.
Centrally located in the heart of Rwanda,
Kigali is home to close to one million people,
and there’s also a large community of expats
here who get to enjoy the diversity the city
has to offer. As with most African countries,
there’s two scenes on offer. While the majority
of the population still live in rural areas, new
modern structures continue to be built in the
Central Business District. One of the latest
developments is the Kigali Tower, a 20-floor
office and retail complex that is the city’s
tallest building. Living in Rwanda’s capital is
not cheap, as the cost of imported goods are
high. The biggest asset here remains the
diverse wildlife, most popularly the rare
mountain gorillas. Tourism remains an
important source of revenue as the country’s
largest foreign exchange earner: in the first
quarter of this year alone, there was a more
than 20 percent in visitors compared to last
year. The increase is likely to see further
investment in the hotel, service, and tourism
industries.
*UPDATE* Dear Africa.com Community: Thank
you for your engagement around our Most
Liveable Cities in Africa article. From your
comments, we realize that we did not provide
you with any information on our
methodologies in determining the most
liveablecities in Africa. First of all, as with any
similar list that measures something like
“livability,” a somewhat subjective quality, we
relied on both quantitative and qualitative
data to determine which cities would make
this list. Second, we made a determination to
only consider cities in continental Africa. For
example, without making a human judgment,
Port Louis of Mauritius would have appeared
on our list, and in fact, has appeared on other
lists of the most liveable cities in Africa. While
we admire Port Louis, we think that it is not a
fair to compare the capital city of what is
largely a resort island to the major
metropolitan cities on the continent, so we
excluded island cities. Third, we aggregated
data primarily from African sources, so as to
remove a Western bias. For example, we used
the Ibrahim Index as a primary source in
evaluating safety and security, rather than
similar reports from Western governments in
an effort to see Africa through the eyes of
Africans. Fourth, our criteria included the
following: availability of goods and services,
quality of infrastructure, and overall security
(which is defined both in personal terms and
in national political terms). Fifth, in addition
to collecting quantitative data on the criteria
above, we used our extensive network on the
continent for qualitative input as a “reality
check” to the results that our data yielded.
These “reality checks” resulted in some small,
but important adjustments to the list. We
hope that this information provides a basis for
understanding our approach. We are very
proud of our list of the most liveable cities in
Africa, and hope that it is a useful tool for
those who seek a relative analysis of large
metropolitan areas on the continent. As
always, we welcome your feedback. Africa.com
Editorial Team
Tags: Cape Town, gabon , Ghana ,
Johannesburg, Kenya , kigali, lifestyle , Nairobi ,
Rwanda , South Africa
 
This mentality this Hute guy is displaying yaitwa inferiority complex
Johannesburg alone has a larger gdp than Slovakia and half that of Greece but wen u are told to choose between the two u leave ur African brother hanging a d settle for Greece a land of neo Nazis
If an African contracts ebola u see how white pple behaved in Italy they barred blacks from visiting their neighbourhoods
Or just get into YouTube and search one republics new so g sang in South Africa called superhuman or superman
The song is really great but the comments will make u hate white people....
Even in Asia they bar black people from renting g houses near Asian neighbours
It's time Hute grew up and learnt more about Africa
Ten years ago Africa as a whole had 700bn$ right now we are crossing the 3.7trn$ mark Africa is now officially richer than Britain Indian Australia Russia Brazil and all western Europe countroapart from Germany

Sub Saharan Africa is richer than India
Since we have a bigger GDP and a smaller population than India but u know what an African will never see that ataona boundaries to kwa map asifie the racist far apache the brotherly near

That is why TECNO MOBILE imeamua kufocus only on appreciating African tech but noooo wacha nirnde na apple ama nokia ama Samsung ama HTC lakini tecni noooo
And meanwhile in Ethiopia tevno has employed 10000 Ethiopia kwa its factory who probably get 1000kshs a day Samsung nayo wanalishwa 100000a week na Koreans and they still will sell u the same thing very expensively put travel advisories against u and mistreatment u there
Granted Hute nairobi is not the best in the world but 30-40yrs from now it will be and more African cities will also be up there
And that is what counts u will never enter an American Canadian Mexican forum and then find a bunch of white pple trashing their homeland and praising middle east or Africa will u?
White pple have heard this cities for centuries now we Africans 100yrs ago were walking naked and living in mid huts with grass thatched roofs and unlike the West Africa has grown from barely swathes of savanna to the fiew sky scrapers that now glitter in our cities 200yrs ago they were in usa 50yrs ago they were in usa so Hute let me be happy in peace that my African city nairobi 50yrs ago was a grazing land for the masai and nw it can be viewed as a global city
 
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wish unaweza kuja ujionee upperhill u will doubt kama uko africa
 
Kalanga89 said:
wish unaweza kuja ujionee upperhill u will doubt kama uko africa
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mzee, mi nimeshaishi kenya, na hata wiki iliyopita nilikuwa Nairobi nimekaa hapo wiki nzima. ni wewe tu ndio hujatoka nje ya nairobi. hapa hauongei na mtu asiyeijua kenya. napongeza kwa jitihada zilizofikiwa lakini still "an african city".
 
Hute said:
mzee, mi nimeshaishi kenya, na hata wiki iliyopita nilikuwa Nairobi nimekaa hapo wiki nzima. ni wewe tu ndio hujatoka nje ya nairobi. hapa hauongei na mtu asiyeijua kenya. napongeza kwa jitihada zilizofikiwa lakini still "an african city".
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Nani Kasema it's a South American city?
 
NairobiWalker said:
Nani Kasema it's a South American city?
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wewe unaongea nini? mbona hueleweki. an african city means a poverty stricken city, bado jiji ni chafu, bado jili limejaa masikini na watu waliokata tamaa ya matumaini tofauti na majiji ya ulimwengu mwingine ambao jiji hata kama dogo linakuwa safi na watu wana matumaini. kenya bado sana, you are stilll a fucked country in the world just like tz uganda and others.
 

Low self esteem/inferiority complex.
 

That is very disrepectiveful, Are you implying that an "African city" is an SI for a dirty city? Seems you've not travelled in Africa,We have big/small, clean cities in Africa that are better than many cities in Europe,Asia and both North and south America.

You sound like a guy who would give up his citizeship for America, Europe or even Asia
 
i agree with you, there're a few clean cities in Africa, but Nairobi is not one of those. i respect cape town, pretoria and jorbag, a little bit of kigali and windhook namibia. Nairobi is still an african city, too african. dirty and the people you meet in street look like they didn't have a meal the previous day.
 
Inferiority complex at its best na hata haoni how it works
 

But how do hungry pipo walk? Nairobians walk fast, really fast to the amazement of the first time visitors from the other capitals in the region. Even one kadoda11 once complained Nairobians try so much to be like the Londoners.

My point is, no hungry pipo can muster the amount of energy to walk at such a fast pace as the Nairobians, making your arguments above an utter baldadash!

Fyi, it is the slum dwellers (like the Kiberians) that tend to appear jollier than their counterparts from the middle class and upper class neighborhoods.
 
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I have an issue with you taking "African city" to imply dirty,If Nairobi is dirty say so do not say that its an African city
 
The men and women who risk all to show the beauty of this unequal city..
 
Guest from Wazua said:
I have an issue with you taking "African city" to imply dirty,If Nairobi is dirty say so do not say that its an African city
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nyi wa bongolala mna wivu sana every other foreigner ana praise nairobi ..sa kusema nairobi ni kama dar si ni matusi ..nairobi is 3rd after jo'burg n cairo ..kalia ndole ya kati
 
Guest from Wazua said:
I have an issue with you taking "African city" to imply dirty,If Nairobi is dirty say so do not say that its an African city
Click to expand...
Rome, a very prominent European city is reknowned for its filth.
Some pipo were even oppossed to having a James Bond film to shot in that place cos it could be an embarrassment.
 
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