Traffic congestion remains a pressing challenge in many African countries. From Lagos to Nairobi, to Cape Town and Cairo, traffic congestion is a growing urban crisis.
According to Business Insider, these cities score highly on the traffic index, which takes into account factors including traffic volume, travel delays, and the overall inefficiency of road systems.
There’s more to a high traffic index than just a hassle. It indicates a systemic issue that impacts public health, economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life, among other things. Every hour spent trapped in traffic is an hour of lost productivity. According to research, traffic congestion costs cities such as Lagos billions of dollars each year, ranging from fuel usage to late deliveries and missed appointments. Long commutes exhaust workers physically and mentally. Parents go home too late to spend time with their kids. Social life deteriorates.
Cities with individuals traveling for 3 to 5 hours each day have a lower overall quality of life. Idling automobiles contribute considerably to air pollution by emitting large amounts of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. This exacerbates respiratory difficulties and puts additional strain on public health services. Frequent traffic jams mean higher fuel costs for drivers and inflated prices for goods and services due to increased transport expenses. Poor road conditions also lead to vehicle damage, adding another layer of economic burden.
Furthermore, constant gridlock is a major stressor. Studies have shown a link between traffic congestion and increased cases of anxiety, road rage, and even depression. For many, the daily commute becomes a source of dread. Public transport is often unreliable or overwhelmed, pushing more people into private car ownership, which worsens congestion. Those who can’t afford cars spend long hours in inefficient systems, further deepening urban inequality.
With that said, here are the African cities with the worst traffic mid-way into 2025, as per Numbeo. Compared to the start of the year, when Capetown ranked 5th on the list with a traffic index of 44.7, now Alexandria ranks 5th.
