Nairobi has been ranked 56th out of 80 cities globally in a new Global Attractiveness Index (GAI) for emerging and fast-growing cities, in an index developed by DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa in partnership with The European House- Ambrosetti.
- •The index evaluates cities across four dimensions- economy, environment, social conditions, and urban infrastructure- using comparable global indicators.
- •The findings position Nairobi 11th in Africa and sixth in Sub-Saharan Africa, in what the report describes as a combination of “growing economic and environmental strengths” alongside persistent structural constraints.
- •Nairobi’s future positioning is likely to depend on how effectively it addresses structural gaps in infrastructure and social conditions while sustaining its existing economic and environmental strengths.
“Cities such as Johannesburg, Port Louis, and Gaborone demonstrate what is possible, and Nairobi’s ranking highlights the untapped potential that can be unlocked by aligning its positive economic and environmental progress with targeted investments in social initiatives and infrastructure,” Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, said.
Nairobi ranks 39th globally in the economic dimension, supported by a diversified urban economy and its position as a regional commercial centre. However, constraints including low purchasing power, income pressures, and housing affordability continue to weigh on its relative standing.
Its strongest results are in the environmental category, where Nairobi ranks 35th globally. Indicators such as air quality, access to public transport, and the availability of green spaces contribute to this performance, positioning the city relatively well among its peers.
By contrast, the social and infrastructure dimensions remain key constraints. Nairobi ranks 73rd globally on social indicators, reflecting low access to safely managed sanitation, at under 28%, and a high proportion of residents living in informal settlements, estimated at over 40%. The city also ranks 65th in urban infrastructure, with gaps in digital connectivity, sewerage systems, and broader service provision limiting its capacity to support population and economic growth.
Across the continent, the index points to a varied performance landscape. Johannesburg emerges as the highest-ranked African city at 13th globally, followed by Port Louis (19th), Gaborone (37th), and Praia (41st), reflecting stronger outcomes particularly in economic and infrastructure dimensions.
The report emphasizes that improvements in city attractiveness are closely tied to strengthening core systems that support business activity, including digital connectivity, transport, and basic services, as well as reducing administrative barriers and expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
