Nairobi has claimed top honours in the latest Global Attractiveness Index (GAI) for emerging and fast-growing cities, developed by DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa and The European House – Ambrosetti, securing position 56 globally, 11th in Africa, and 6th in Sub-Saharan Africa.
On Monday, March 23, Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said the findings reflect the Kenyan capital’s growing economic and environmental strengths, while also highlighting structural constraints that continue to limit its full potential.
“For Africa to accelerate its integration into global trade and to realize its full economic potential, we must understand where our cities stand, what their unique strengths are, and what barriers must be removed to allow them to develop. The GAI gives us a clear, data-backed roadmap,” Mr. Heymans said.
Heymans added that “Africa is not short of ambition or talent” and that with coordinated public and private investment in the systems that allow cities to scale sustainably, African cities will be able to maintain top positions.
The city ranks 73rd in the Social Index due to gaps in sanitation access and the high share of the population living in informal settlements, and 65th in the Urban Infrastructure Index, with digital connectivity and sewerage access identified as key areas requiring improvement.
Nairobi ranks 39th in the Economic Index and 35th in the Environmental Index. The city performs particularly well on key environmental indicators, including air quality and access to basic drinking water.
However, while Nairobi features prominently in the index at position 56 out of 80 emerging and fast-growing cities worldwide, it still faces persistent challenges that point to opportunities to increase its attractiveness and competitiveness.
Port Louis ranks 19th globally and 2nd in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gaborone ranks 37th globally and 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa, while Praia ranks 41st globally and 4th in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Cities like Johannesburg, Port Louis, and Gaborone show what is possible, and Nairobi’s ranking highlights the untapped potential that can be unlocked by matching its positive economic and environmental progress with targeted investments in social initiatives and infrastructure. DHL is ready and proud to support the continent’s journey toward greater connectedness and opportunity,” the GAI report stated.
Across Africa, the GAI report shows a diverse performance landscape, with several cities standing out as continental leaders across the four dimensions. Johannesburg is the top-ranked African city, placing 13th globally due to its strong economic and infrastructure performance.
The index provides a data-driven assessment of the attractiveness of 80 cities across 80 countries, including their capacity to attract and retain resources across four dimensions: economy, environment, social factors, and urban infrastructure.
It also shows that cities improve their attractiveness fastest when they strengthen the fundamentals that make it easier for businesses to operate and scale. This includes modernising digital connectivity, enhancing transport and basic services, supporting SME participation, and reducing administrative barriers that slow investment or innovation.
Pietro Maninni, CEO of The European House – Ambrosetti Africa, said the index will provide an important evidence base for policymakers, investors, and business leaders. “With the right reforms, digital acceleration, inclusive housing strategies, green infrastructure, and modernised urban services, African cities can shift quickly into higher tiers of global competitiveness,” he said.
Higher GAI positions signal a stronger capacity to attract capital, talent, and services that underpin long-term development. Cities that raise their attractiveness are better placed to integrate into global value chains and trade corridors, increasing their visibility in international networks.
