Expats, international workers, foreign investors, and digital nomads often ask: What are the most expensive cities for foreigners in Africa in 2025? Where do you need the biggest budget to live comfortably on the continent?
This guide gives you a detailed look at the top 20 most expensive cities in Africa for foreigners, based on cost of rent, food, transport, international schools, and general lifestyle expenses. If you’re relocating for work, investment, or long-term stay in Africa, this article is everything you need to prepare and budget.
What Makes a City Expensive for Foreigners in Africa?
A city becomes expensive for foreigners when:
Rent is high in safe, expat-friendly neighborhoods
Goods and services are mostly imported
Currency is unstable or inflation is high
Healthcare, international schools, and transport are costly
There’s a limited supply of luxury or Western-standard living amenities
Many of Africa’s most expensive cities are oil-rich capitals, international business hubs, or countries with limited infrastructure making even basic services costly for foreigners.
Top 20 Most Expensive Cities for Foreigners in Africa (2025)
Let’s break down the ranking and why each city is expensive:
1. Luanda, Angola
Why it's expensive: High demand for secure expat housing, extreme reliance on imports
Top Areas: Talatona, Ilha de Luanda
Living Cost Highlights: Rent for furnished apartments can exceed $7,000/month, even basic groceries are expensive due to imports
2. N'Djamena, Chad
Why it's expensive: Scarce infrastructure and security concerns increase costs
Top Areas: City center compounds
Living Cost Highlights: High housing costs, imported goods, and transport issues
3. Libreville, Gabon
Why it's expensive: Oil-driven economy with few local goods
Top Areas: Batterie IV, Louis
Living Cost Highlights: High-end housing and services are limited, so they command premium prices
4. Kinshasa, DRC
Why it's expensive: Poor logistics and import reliance
Top Areas: Gombe
Living Cost Highlights: Limited access to quality housing, schooling, and medical services for expats
5. Victoria, Seychelles
Why it's expensive: Island economy with everything imported
Top Areas: Eden Island
Living Cost Highlights: Luxury lifestyle costs, high rent, expensive food and utilities
6. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Why it's expensive: Fast development and global organization presence
Top Areas: Cocody, Zone 4
Living Cost Highlights: Real estate prices are rising rapidly, especially for secure and modern properties
7. Lagos, Nigeria
Why it's expensive: Expensive housing, high transportation and service costs
Top Areas: Banana Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island
Living Cost Highlights: Security, schooling, and private healthcare cost more for foreigners
8. Dakar, Senegal
Why it's expensive: Limited luxury housing and services
Top Areas: Almadies, Mermoz
Living Cost Highlights: High costs for expat housing, imported groceries, and private schooling
9. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Why it's expensive: Limited quality housing and inflation
Top Areas: Bole, Old Airport
Living Cost Highlights: Government controls on imports raise prices for foreign goods
10. Johannesburg, South Africa
Why it's expensive: Business city with luxury neighborhoods
Top Areas: Sandton, Hyde Park
Living Cost Highlights: Private security, healthcare, and education are top-tier but expensive
11. Cape Town, South Africa
Why it's expensive: Coastal appeal, tourism, and lifestyle costs
Top Areas: Camps Bay, Clifton, Constantia
Living Cost Highlights: Rent, food, and leisure costs are high, especially in tourist-favored areas
12. Cairo, Egypt
Why it's expensive: Currency fluctuation, inflation, and rising rent
Top Areas: Zamalek, New Cairo
Living Cost Highlights: Costs are rising for international schooling, secure housing, and utilities
13. Accra, Ghana
Why it's expensive: Fast urban growth, increased demand for real estate
Top Areas: Cantonments, Airport Residential, East Legon
Living Cost Highlights: Expat-safe areas come with a premium, and imported goods are expensive
14. Maputo, Mozambique
Why it's expensive: Limited housing supply for expats
Top Areas: Sommerschield, Polana
Living Cost Highlights: Real estate prices are high, food and vehicles are costly due to import taxes
15. Algiers, Algeria
Why it's expensive: Closed economy and housing shortages
Top Areas: Hydra, El Madania
Living Cost Highlights: High costs for health and education services
16. Tunis, Tunisia
Why it's expensive: Currency issues and rising demand from foreigners
Top Areas: La Marsa, Carthage
Living Cost Highlights: Imported products and private services are becoming more expensive
17. Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Why it's expensive: Landlocked and dependent on imports
Top Areas: Centre-ville
Living Cost Highlights: Very few options for foreign-level housing
18. Harare, Zimbabwe
Why it's expensive: Hyperinflation and USD-based economy
Top Areas: Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant
Living Cost Highlights: Everything priced in US dollars, making life costly for foreigners
19. Bamako, Mali
Why it's expensive: Security issues and economic instability
Top Areas: ACI 2000
Living Cost Highlights: High security costs, expensive food and clean water
20. Gaborone, Botswana
Why it's expensive: Small market, rising property prices
Top Areas: Phakalane, Broadhurst
Living Cost Highlights: Education, healthcare, and expat-focused housing are limited and pricey
Summary Table: Most Expensive Cities for Foreigners in Africa
| Rank | City | Country | Main Cost Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luanda | Angola | Rent, imports, security |
| 2 | N'Djamena | Chad | Goods shortage, expat demand |
| 3 | Libreville | Gabon | Oil economy, limited supply |
| 4 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | Logistics, services |
| 5 | Victoria | Seychelles | Island inflation |
| 6 | Abidjan | Côte d’Ivoire | Luxury housing, inflation |
| 7 | Lagos | Nigeria | Real estate, security, fuel |
| 8 | Dakar | Senegal | Rents, education, food |
| 9 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | Import controls, inflation |
| 10 | Johannesburg | South Africa | Private services, transport |
| 11 | Cape Town | South Africa | Lifestyle, location |
| 12 | Cairo | Egypt | Currency shifts, schooling |
| 13 | Accra | Ghana | Housing demand, imported goods |
| 14 | Maputo | Mozambique | Real estate, cars |
| 15 | Algiers | Algeria | Shortages, closed economy |
| 16 | Tunis | Tunisia | Currency pressure, demand |
| 17 | Brazzaville | Congo Republic | Imports, infrastructure gaps |
| 18 | Harare | Zimbabwe | USD economy, inflation |
| 19 | Bamako | Mali | Instability, security |
| 20 | Gaborone | Botswana | Property, schools, small market |
FAQs – Most Expensive Cities in Africa for Foreigners
What is the most expensive city for foreigners in Africa 2025?
Luanda, Angola, due to high rents, imports, and limited expat infrastructure.
Is Lagos expensive for expats?
Yes. It’s one of the most expensive in West Africa, especially in elite neighborhoods.
Why are island cities like Victoria so costly?
Import dependency and limited land make everything from food to fuel expensive.
Which South African city is more expensive for foreigners: Cape Town or Joburg?
Both are costly, but Cape Town’s tourism and real estate market make it more expensive for lifestyle expenses.
How can foreigners reduce costs in expensive African cities?
Consider local housing options, use public services, and avoid luxury imports when possible.
Final Thoughts: Where Are the Most Expensive Places to Live in Africa?
If you're asking: What are the most expensive cities for foreigners in Africa in 2025? — now you know.
From Luanda and Libreville to Lagos and Johannesburg, living costs are influenced by demand for safety, imported goods, and a lack of affordable housing.