Top 5 African cities with the worst traffic mid-2024

Traffic jams can turn a simple commute into a daily endurance test that would challenge the patience of even the calmest drivers or passengers.

So, what causes these never-ending traffic nightmares? Rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and a surge in vehicle ownership are just a few factors.

Many cities were not originally designed to accommodate the rapid population growth and urbanization witnessed in recent decades.

In cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Cairo, the scarcity of multiple access roads increases congestion. Single-lane highways and narrow streets become bottlenecks during peak hours, leading to gridlock that can stretch for miles.

But, it is important to note that beyond inconvenience, the economic costs are huge, with billions lost in productivity, wasted fuel, and car repairs. It’s a massive drain on both people’s time and the economy.

In an earlier report, we revealed that Nigeria ranks first among African countries for the worst traffic with a score of 325.3, followed by Kenya at 235.7.

Unsurprisingly, Lagos, the commercial hub of Africa’s most populous country, experiences the worst traffic in Africa, with an index of 354.5, according to Numbeo’s traffic index. The city reportedly loses N4 trillion each year due to traffic congestion.

Two South African cities also made the list: Pretoria with a score of 228.1 and Cape Town at 209.3.