The cost of living in Africa’s major cities continues to rise amid economic downturns. Accra, the capital city of Ghana is among the top 10 most expensive cities to live in according to latest data by Numbeo, the world’s foremost data and research platform.
Accra ranked 7th, while South Africa, with the largest economy in Africa, had three of its cities in the top three positions.
The index utilizes indicators such as rent, grocery prices, restaurant index, cost of living plus rent index, and local purchasing power. It compares it to estimates in New York City (NYC), one of the world’s most expensive cities.
Accra being in the top 10 category of expensive places to live in Africa is concerning, but recent price hikes in essential commodities don’t make things better. Since the start of this month, for instance, cement, fuel, water, and electricity have all seen price increases.
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These developments underscore the difficulties ahead for consumers and businesses alike, compounded by the constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund’s programme with Ghana.
Read Also: The Republic Day of Price Hikes
| Rank | City | Cost of living index | Local purchasing power index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johannesburg, South Africa | 38.4 | 110.8 |
| 2 | Pretoria, South Africa | 35.3 | 118.8 |
| 3 | Cape Town, South Africa | 35.2 | 105.2 |
| 4 | Lagos, Nigeria | 35.1 | 13.1 |
| 5 | Durban, South Africa | 32.9 | 91.7 |
| 6 | Casablanca, Morocco | 32.8 | 38.6 |
| 7 | Accra, Ghana | 32.1 | 16.3 |
| 8 | Nairobi, Kenya | 31.7 | 34.5 |
| 9 | Algiers, Algeria | 29.8 | 30.0 |
| 10 | Tunis, Tunisia | 29.8 | 30.6 |
