Top 5 African countries with the worst traffic in mid-2025

A high traffic index, characterized by long commute times, widespread discontent with lost time in traffic, and highly inefficient transportation systems, can have a substantial influence on a country’s economy, environment, and standard of living.

In places such as Lagos, Nairobi, and Cairo, daily commutes of more than two hours are not uncommon.

A high traffic index suggests that workers spend a significant portion of their day trapped in traffic, typically arriving exhausted and leaving with less time for family, rest, or increased productivity.

According to research, extended travel times lower worker productivity, increase absenteeism, and can even contribute to increased turnover rates.

These delays are costly for governments looking to increase productivity and generate economic growth.

Additionally, the psychological impact of traffic congestion is frequently underestimated.

Constant delays, unpredictability, and the sheer misery of spending hours stuck in traffic all contribute to high commuter dissatisfaction rates.

Chronic discontent can lead to higher stress levels, lower general well-being, and increased tension in urban settings.

In many African cities, a lack of feasible options, such as dependable public transit, exacerbates commuter unhappiness, leaving them feeling helpless and caught in a daily cycle of inefficiency.

A high traffic index frequently indicates deeper, structural difficulties within a country’s transportation infrastructure.

These include insufficient road networks, poor urban design, little investment in mass transit, and a lack of coordinated traffic control systems.

In many African cities, the emergence of informal transportation services, such as minibuses or motorbike taxis, fills a void while simultaneously contributing to traffic mayhem due to variable regulation and road behavior.

With that said, here are the African countries with the worst traffic index mid-way into 2025 according to Numbeo.