Cost of Living in Africa - October 2011

The most expensive city in Africa for expatriates to live is Luanda in Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and administrative center. It is also the capital city of Luanda Province. The city is currently undergoing a major reconstruction, with many large developments taking place that will alter the cityscape significantly. Around one-third of Angolans live in Luanda, 57% of whom live in poverty. Living conditions in Luanda are extremely poor, with essential services such as safe drinking water still in short supply. The economy of Angola is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but is still recovering from the Angolan Civil War that plagued Angola from independence in 1975 until 2002. Despite extensive oil and gas resources, diamonds, hydroelectric potential, and rich agricultural land, Angola remains poor, and a third of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. For expatriates education, restaurants, meals out and hotel costs and household accommodation are particularly expensive.

The ten most expensive cities in Africa (Global rank in brackets):
1. Angola, Luanda (24)
2. Saint Helena, Jamestown (50)
3. Gabon, Libreville (58)
4. Cote D'Ivoire, Abidjan (62)
5. Central African Republic, Bangui (64)
6. Equatorial Guinea, Malabo (72)
7. Nigeria, Lagos (75)
8. Mali, Bamako (82)
9. Cameroon, Douala (83)
10.Chad, N'Djamena (88)