Travelers, expats, researchers, and business leaders often ask: Which cities are the most peaceful and safest in Africa in 2025? Where can you live or visit with confidence and ease?
This guide gives you a detailed look at the top 10 most peaceful and safest cities in Africa in 2025, based on safety rankings, crime statistics, quality of life indices, and resident experiences. Learn what makes each city calm and secure, who lives there, key safety features, and how they rank compared to others.
Whether you’re choosing a destination for travel, relocation, or investment, this article gives you everything you need to know.
What Defines a City as Peaceful and Safe?
The most peaceful and safest cities share several characteristics:
Low rates of violent and petty crime
Reliable law enforcement and visible security presence
Political stability and functional public services
High quality healthcare and emergency services
Resident perceptions of security and community trust
A truly safe city combines objective data with lived experience making it ideal for families, expats, and tourists.
Top 10 Most Peaceful and Safest Cities in Africa 2025
Here are the cities ranked by safety and peace indicators, along with why each stands out.
1. Kigali, Rwanda
Why It’s Safe:
Kigali has consistently low crime rates thanks to strict laws, community policing, and civic education. Theft and violent crime are rare.
Highlights:
Clean streets and fast emergency response
An efficient public transportation system
Strong community trust and modern CCTV infrastructure
Why Tourists/Expats Love It:
It’s safe to walk alone at night, even in central neighborhoods. Kigali ranks high in Africa for both safety and quality of life.
2. Victoria, Seychelles
Why It’s Safe:
As a small island capital with a population under 30,000, Victoria has exceptionally low crime rates and stable social conditions.
Highlights:
Minimal violence or theft
Friendly, close-knit community
Reliable patrols in tourist and beach areas
Why It’s Popular:
Visitors and residents often cite a sense of calm and personal safety, making it ideal for families and retirees.
3. Port Louis, Mauritius
Why It’s Safe:
Port Louis scores high on safety indices, supported by a strong rule of law and professional policing.
Highlights:
Low crime and well-lit streets
Secure neighborhoods like Quatre Bornes and Grand Baie
Stable governance with effective local authorities
Why It's Attractive:
It's safe day and night. Visitors report no need for constant vigilance, and locals enjoy a strong sense of community.
4. Gaborone, Botswana
Why It’s Safe:
Botswana’s capital benefits from political stability and low corruption. Crime rates are moderate, with most theft being non-violent.
Highlights:
Visible police presence
Reliable emergency services
Secure gated communities popular among families and expats
Why It’s Welcoming:
Gaborone offers a sense of calm and order, combined with growing international schools and healthcare options.
5. Windhoek, Namibia
Why It’s Safe:
Windhoek enjoys low violent crime rates, clear urban planning, and high-quality public services.
Highlights:
Safe residential suburbs like Klein Windhoek
Low rates of carjacking and street crime
Responsive law enforcement
Why It’s Favored:
Residents praise easy living, clean city planning, and a calm atmosphere in this desert city.
6. Casablanca, Morocco
Why It’s Safe:
As one of Africa’s top business hubs, Casablanca maintains better safety standards than many large cities in North Africa.
Highlights:
Strong traffic and tourist police presence
Regular patrols in business and tourist zones
Culturally respectful social environment
Why It’s Growing:
Corporate professionals and foreign investors choose Casablanca for its balance of economic vibrancy and security.
7. Accra, Ghana
Why It’s Safe:
Accra has a relatively low crime rate compared to other capitals in West Africa, supported by community patrols and responsive police units.
Highlights:
Vibrant yet safe neighborhoods like Cantonments and East Legon
Limited violent crime; most incidents involve petty theft
Tourist and residential areas well-policed
Why People Move There:
Accra attracts families and expatriates because of its stable social environment and friendly locals.
8. Tunis, Tunisia
Why It’s Safe:
Post-2011 reforms and ongoing security training have made Tunis one of North Africa’s safer capitals.
Highlights:
Safe city center and coastal neighborhoods
Moderate watch against pickpocketing
Visible security at historic landmarks
Why It’s Worth Visiting:
Visitors enjoy peace of mind walking historic medinas and coastal promenades without high security concerns.
9. Rabat, Morocco
Why It’s Safe:
As the political capital, Rabat enjoys excellent security and little crime compared to other large African cities.
Highlights:
Well-kept streets and low petty crime
Government-protected neighborhoods near embassies
High trust in law enforcement
Why Expats Choose It:
Rabat is loved for its quiet charm, safe neighborhoods, and high-quality public spaces.
10. Praia, Cape Verde
Why It’s Safe:
This Atlantic island capital offers low crime and political stability, boosted by tight-knit island communities.
Highlights:
Few incidents of theft or violence
Calm night life and local patrols
Friendly street environments even after dark
Why It Stands Out:
Great for family travel and expat living, Praia offers island life with a strong sense of safety.
Summary Table: Most Peaceful and Safest Cities in Africa 2025
| Rank | City | Country | Key Safety Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kigali | Rwanda | Zero violent crime, clean streets |
| 2 | Victoria | Seychelles | Island calm, community trust |
| 3 | Port Louis | Mauritius | Low petty crime, reliable police |
| 4 | Gaborone | Botswana | Moderate crime, gated estates |
| 5 | Windhoek | Namibia | Organized city, low carjack risk |
| 6 | Casablanca | Morocco | Policed neighborhoods, business zone security |
| 7 | Accra | Ghana | Peaceful communities, friendly policing |
| 8 | Tunis | Tunisia | Tourist security, coastal calm |
| 9 | Rabat | Morocco | Protected capital, embassy zones safe |
| 10 | Praia | Cape Verde | Island community safety, quiet evenings |
Key Lessons from Africa’s Safest Cities
Small or mid-sized capitals often rank highest due to less congestion and crime.
Islands and tourist hubs benefit from low urban crime and strong police presence.
Political capital cities invest heavily in security around embassies and government buildings.
Robust community trust and urban planning are hallmarks of peaceful cities.
Family-friendly neighborhoods, gated communities, and clean streets correlate with perceived safety.
FAQs – Top 10 Safest Cities in Africa 2025
Which is the safest city in Africa in 2025?
Kigali tops the list with minimal violent and petty crime rates.
Are Casablanca and Rabat safe for tourists?
Yes. Both enjoy strong security, especially in tourist and embassy areas.
Is Accra safer than Lagos?
Yes. Accra is generally considered safer for expats and tourists than Lagos.
Are island capitals safer than mainland?
Yes. Cities like Victoria and Praia offer lower crime due to smaller populations and tight-knit communities.
Do political capitals have better security?
Often. Cities like Rabat and Gaborone host embassies and government facilities, which enhances overall urban security.
Final Thoughts on Africa’s Most Peaceful and Safest Cities
In 2025, the most peaceful and safest cities in Africa are mostly small to mid-sized capitals, tourist hubs, or islands—places like Kigali, Victoria, Port Louis, Gaborone, Windhoek, and Praia. These cities combine strong governance, community trust, and structured urban planning.
If you're choosing where to travel, live, or invest in Africa, these cities offer calm, security, and quality of life. They show that a safe environment depends not just on enforcement, but on community cohesion, planning, and a shared sense of order.