Smallest Cities in Africa by Area List

Africa is a continent of immense geographical diversity, featuring everything from vast deserts and dense forests to towering mountains and expansive coastlines. While many think of its bustling megacities like Cairo, Lagos, or Johannesburg, countless smaller urban centers also dot its landscape, each with its own unique character and history.

Exploring these compact urban areas offers a different perspective on the continent’s development and unique challenges. Below, you’ll find a list of the Smallest Cities in Africa by Area. This compilation details exactly 22 such cities, ranging geographically from Antsiranana in Madagascar to Victoria in Seychelles. For each entry, we’ve provided key information, including its Country, Area (km²), and Population, which you’ll find below.

How are the “smallest cities” on this list defined?

For this list, “smallest” primarily refers to the administrative land area of the city, measured in square kilometers. While population density can also contribute to a perception of smallness, the primary criterion here is the physical footprint of the urban center within its officially designated boundaries. These areas often reflect historical development, geographical constraints, or specific administrative delimitations.

Do these smallest cities play an important role in their respective countries?

Absolutely. Being small in terms of land area doesn’t equate to insignificance. Many of these cities serve crucial roles as regional administrative centers, economic hubs for surrounding rural areas, important port towns, or popular tourist destinations. Their compact size often allows for a more tightly knit community and efficient local governance, contributing significantly to their nation’s cultural and economic fabric.

Smallest Cities in Africa by Area

City Name	Country	Area (km²)	Population
Gorée	Senegal	0.18	1,680
Jamestown	Saint Helena	3.9	625
Banjul	Gambia	12	31,356
Melilla	Spain	12.3	86,487
Freetown	Sierra Leone	13.3	1,055,964
São Tomé	São Tomé and Príncipe	17	71,868
Ceuta	Spain	18.5	84,777
Victoria	Seychelles	20.1	26,450
Gitega	Burundi	20.76	41,944
Malabo	Equatorial Guinea	21	297,000
Moroni	Comoros	30	62,351
Toamasina	Madagascar	30.91	325,857
Toliara	Madagascar	34.69	168,756
Ifrane	Morocco	35.7	14,659
Antsiranana	Madagascar	41.67	131,165
Port Louis	Mauritius	42.7	147,066
Asmara	Eritrea	45	963,000
Saint-Louis	Senegal	46	258,592
Mahajanga	Madagascar	53.07	246,022
Bissau	Guinea-Bissau	77.5	492,004
Lomé	Togo	90	837,437
Praia	Cabo Verde	102.6	159,050

Images and Descriptions

Gorée

A tiny, car-free island off the coast of Dakar, famous for its role in the Atlantic slave trade and now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Jamestown

The capital and only port of the remote British island of Saint Helena, famous as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile and death.

Banjul

The capital of The Gambia, occupying a small island where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic, making its expansion geographically limited.

Melilla

An autonomous Spanish city on the coast of North Africa, representing one of the European Union’s only two land borders on the African continent.

Freetown

The dense and vibrant capital of Sierra Leone, founded by freed African American and Caribbean slaves on a peninsula jutting into the Atlantic.

São Tomé

The capital of the “Chocolate Islands,” known for its Portuguese colonial architecture and relaxed, tropical atmosphere.

Ceuta

A Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, sharing a border with Morocco and known for its unique blend of European and African cultures.

Victoria

Often cited as one of the world’s smallest capitals, Victoria is the charming administrative and economic hub of the Seychelles archipelago.

Gitega

The recently reinstated political capital of Burundi, a city with a rich royal history and a more central location than the former capital, Bujumbura.

Malabo

Located on the island of Bioko, Malabo is the nation’s capital and a major hub for the country’s vast oil and gas industry.

Moroni

The federal capital of the Comoros, a volcanic island nation, with the active Mount Karthala volcano providing a dramatic backdrop.

Toamasina

The main commercial port of Madagascar, this bustling city is a critical gateway for trade and is known for its long, straight avenues and colonial-era buildings.

Toliara

A sun-drenched city on the southwest coast of Madagascar, often called the “City of the Sun” and a gateway to the region’s unique spiny forests.

Ifrane

Known as “Little Switzerland,” this Moroccan mountain resort town is famous for its alpine-style architecture, chilly winters, and pristine environment.

Antsiranana

Situated on one of the world’s largest natural bays, this city in northern Madagascar has a rich naval history and a distinctly multicultural feel.

Port Louis

The vibrant and diverse capital of Mauritius, a major port and one of Africa’s leading financial centers, nestled between mountains and the Indian Ocean.

Asmara

A UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its outstanding collection of well-preserved early 20th-century Modernist architecture from its time as an Italian colony.

Saint-Louis

The first French settlement in West Africa, its historic island core is a UNESCO site, characterized by its colonial architecture and famous Faidherbe Bridge.

Mahajanga

A popular tourist destination on the northwest coast of Madagascar, known for its beautiful beaches, lively promenade, and massive ancient baobab tree.

Bissau

The capital of Guinea-Bissau, a port city on the Geba River estuary with a historic Portuguese colonial center and a vibrant, bustling port.

Lomé

The capital of Togo is a major Atlantic port and a rare example of a capital city that sits directly on an international border, sharing its western edge with Ghana.