The African Cities That Could Become Major Business Hubs by 2035

Africa’s next business hubs may not be the cities everyone is talking about today.

As the continent urbanizes, a new generation of commercial centers is emerging beyond its traditional economic capitals. The opportunity is increasingly shifting toward cities that combine population growth, strategic location, improving infrastructure, connectivity, and entrepreneurial activity.

The scale of this transformation is significant. Africa’s urban population is projected to double from around 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, creating new markets and new economic centers across the continent.OECD – Africa’s Urbanisation Dynamics 2025

Abidjan: West Africa’s Gateway

Abidjan is already one of West Africa’s most important commercial centers, but its regional potential makes it one to watch through 2035.

Its position on the Gulf of Guinea, major port infrastructure, growing consumer market, and role as Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital give businesses access to both local and regional markets. The broader Abidjan–Grand-Bassam corridor is also part of a growing urban cluster identified in African urbanization research.

Kigali: Small City, Strategic Ambition

Kigali offers a different model. Rwanda’s capital has positioned itself as a business-friendly and increasingly connected city, particularly in technology, finance, tourism, and professional services.

Its relatively compact urban environment and regional positioning within East Africa could make Kigali increasingly attractive to companies looking for a base from which to serve multiple markets.

Dar es Salaam: A Gateway to East Africa

Dar es Salaam has one of the strongest cases for long-term commercial growth.

Its location on the Indian Ocean connects Tanzania to regional trade routes serving East and Central Africa. The wider Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar urban system is already among the continent’s significant urban clusters. Continued population growth is likely to increase demand for logistics, housing, retail, financial services, and infrastructure.

Kumasi: Ghana’s Next Commercial Engine?

This Ghanaian city is often overshadowed by Accra, but its strategic position in Ghana could make it increasingly important.

It sits at the center of major commercial networks connecting northern and southern Ghana. Kumasi is part of the wider Accra, Kumasi urban corridor. As secondary cities become increasingly important to Africa’s urban growth, cities such as Kumasi could capture investment that traditionally concentrates in national capitals.

Dire Dawa: The Logistics Bet

Dire Dawa may be less familiar internationally, but that is precisely why investors should pay attention.

The city sits along a strategic trade corridor connecting Ethiopia with Djibouti and is positioned to benefit from the movement of goods, people, and investment. The World Bank has highlighted medium-sized cities such as Dire Dawa as increasingly important to Africa’s future employment and economic growth, particularly because so much future urban expansion will occur outside major capitals.

The Bigger Opportunity Is Beyond the Capitals

The most interesting African business cities of 2035 may not necessarily be the largest ones today.

Urbanization is creating networks of connected cities rather than isolated economic centers. For investors and businesses, that means looking at transport corridors, ports, industrial zones, consumer growth, digital connectivity, and regional trade.

This matters because Africa’s cities still face major infrastructure challenges. The African Development Bank estimates that closing the continent’s infrastructure gap will require roughly $130–170 billion in investment annually, with much of that investment needed in urban areas.

For businesses, that gap is also an opportunity: logistics, housing, mobility, energy, financial services, technology, healthcare, and consumer industries will all need to grow alongside the cities themselves.

The Awakening Take

The next African business hub may not be the city with the biggest skyline. It may be the one becoming better connected to the people, markets, and infrastructure around it.

By 2035, investors who look beyond Africa’s traditional capitals could find some of the continent’s most interesting opportunities in secondary cities and emerging urban corridors.

The question is no longer simply “Which African city is biggest?”

It is “Which city is becoming indispensable?”