These cities are noted to have better living conditions than Lagos, which is the fifth largest economy in Africa.
Five major indicators are assessed to arrive at an estimated score for a city. Its rank is thus based on this score. These criteria are stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
Looking at Africa, nine cities were featured in the 2017 report, and these are the cities whose living conditions are adjudged better than Lagos.
Lagos ranked 142 out of 143 cities assessed in the 2017 edition of The EIU Global livability Ranking report. This makes Lagos the worst city to live in Africa.
Here are five cities with more livable conditions than Lagos.
1. Johannesburg, South Africa - ranked 87 in the world
Johannesburg is a vibrant and culturally rich city. It is the commercial capital of South Africa, like Lagos to Nigeria, with infrastructural facilities that suit its status.
Right from the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), the aesthetics of the city become visible.
Johannesburg is extremely cosmopolitan and surrounded by many small towns such as Fourways, Lonetree, Midlands, Parkhurst and Parktown North. As a result, the city is considered an attractive base for many international and African companies due to its easy access to international opportunities.
Johannesburg, though, has its own bad side of African ills. There is high crime rate, a violent strike by workers and students. Some part of the city is prominent for high pollution, you can scarcely work five metres without seeing some litters.
This may be some of the reasons for its ranking 87 in the world, but it is the most livable city in Africa.
2. Pretoria, South Africa - ranked 93 in the world
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa, and home to government agencies, ministries, foreign embassies and diplomatic missions.
Tourists also found the city interesting as it offers historical spots such as the Freedom Park and Kruger House.
Asides the exotic estates that spread across the city, Pretoria is also home to biological gardens such as the National Zoological Gardens and the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. Also, there are many nature reserves such as Groenkloof, Rietvlei e.t.c.
Living in the capital city of the rainbow nation is interesting especially for a first time visitor.
3. Nairobi, Kenya - ranked 120 in the world
Nairobi is both the commercial and capital city of Kenya. In recent time, it is the choice of most multinational companies setting their foothold in Africa.
Nairobi also offers such sophistication that most metropolitan cities in Africa offer. But its own comes in a ‘kinder and gentler’ manner. Housing facilities in the city are more comfortable and relatively cheaper with more land space than other African cities.
Getting around the city is not as difficult as Lagos, for with your own car you are ready for a good ride. The other options offer a similar local experience you get from transporters in Lagos, with the use of Matatu and Boda-boda.
4. Lusaka, Zambia – ranked 124 in the world
Lusaka, capital of Zambia, is the largest city in the country. It is also one of the fastest growing developing cities in Southern Africa.
In recent time, massive infrastructural developments in the city have led to the rise of new buildings, chains of stores and shopping malls all over the sprawling suburbs of Lusaka. This attracts more foreigners and tourists to the city. It has also made the city a bustling centre for economic and cultural activities in the region.
These developments have transformed the city from a mere town to a growing metropolitan city. It is as a result that it ranked fifth most livable in Africa and 124th in the world.
5. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire – ranked 129 in the world
Abidjan is the economic capital of Ivory Coast and is one of the most populous French-speaking cities in Africa. The city is reasonably safe and operational headquarters of many regional development and government agencies.
Known as the “Paris of Africa", Abidjan offers a high-class lifestyle and beautified by many wide streets and green garden squares across many parts of the city. The city provides foreigners with a French and African intermingled cultural activities.
Some of the high points of the city are the relatively shocking driving manners. The city gracefully shares this attribute with Lagos. Thus, hiring a car is highly more recommended than driving in the city as a foreigner.