South Africa claims half of Africa’s priciest cities
A new wealth report has identified Africa’s most expensive cities, with South Africa taking the lead.
Africa’s luxury property market is shifting rapidly, and South Africa is driving the trend.
Henley & Partners’ newly released Africa Wealth Report 2025 ranks Cape Town as the continent’s most expensive city, with prime real estate averaging USD 5 600 per square metre.
South Africa dominates the list, with five cities in the Top 10, highlighting how wealth and property demand are concentrating in the country.
South Africa’s grip on the top spots in Africa
According to the report, these are Africa’s most expensive cities for prime residential property:
| City/town | Country | USD/m² |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | South Africa | $5 800 |
| Tamarin (Black River) | Mauritius | $4 500 |
| Marrakech | Morocco | $3 000 |
| Hermanus (Whale Coast) | South Africa | $2 600 |
| Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route) | South Africa | $2 400 |
| Franschhoek (Cape Winelands) | South Africa | $2 000 |
| Umhlanga & Ballito | South Africa | $1 900 |
| Central Sandton (Johannesburg) | South Africa | $1 800 |
| Tangier | Morocco | $1 700 |
| Cairo | Egypt | $1 600 |
The numbers highlight a clear trend: South Africa is home to half of Africa’s most expensive cities.
Several forces explain why Cape Town is racing ahead in Africa’s luxury property market.
Prestigious suburbs such as Clifton, Camps Bay, Constantia, Fresnaye, and Bantry Bay continue to attract wealthy buyers with their lifestyle appeal.
For foreign investors, Cape Town delivers unmatched value: one million dollars buys around 178 m² of prime property, compared to just 29 m² in London or 26 m² in New York.
South Africa’s dominance in the report highlights both opportunity and inequality. It confirms the country as Africa’s luxury property powerhouse but also raises concerns about affordability as ordinary citizens struggle with rising living costs.
For global investors and the wealthy elite, the message remains clear: South Africa, especially Cape Town, is the continent’s premier destination for high-end real estate.