Top 10 Largest Cities In West Africa By Population

This guide ranked the top 10 biggest cities in West Africa by population according to the most recent estimate.

Rank	City	Country	Population
1	Lagos	Nigeria	9,000,000
2	Abidjan	Ivory Coast	3,677,115
3	Kano	Nigeria	3,626,068
4	Ibadan	Nigeria	3,565,108
5	Dakar	Senegal	2,476,400
6	Accra	Ghana	1,963,264
7	Conakry	Guinea	1,767,200
8	Kaduna	Nigeria	1,582,102
9	Kumasi	Ghana	1,468,609
10	Bamako	Mali	1,297,281

1. Lagos City – 9,000,000

Lagos, also called Èkó in Yoruba, is a large metropolitan city in southwest Nigeria. It is the most populous urban area in West Africa, with an estimated population of nine million.

Disputes over population figures exist, with some estimates placing the population around fifteen million in 2022. This rapid growth makes Lagos one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.

Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until 1991 when the capital moved to Abuja. Yet, Lagos remains Nigeria’s economic hub and a key African financial center.

It has a strong influence in sectors like commerce, technology, entertainment, and tourism. The city boasts the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and has one of the continent’s busiest seaports.

Lagos is divided into two main areas: the Island, which includes the historical Lagos Island, and the Mainland, where modern developments have expanded.

The city is involved in regional trade as part of the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor, a transnational economic hub in West Africa.

Notable landmarks in Lagos are the University of Lagos, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and Tinubu Square. Plus, Lagos National Stadium has hosted major international sports events.

2. Abidjan – 3,677,115

According to recent data, Abidjan, the largest city on the Ivory Coast, has a population of over 3.6 million. As the country’s former capital, it is a major cultural and economic hub in West Africa.

Known for its high level of industrialization and urbanization, Abidjan is essential in the region’s trade and commerce.

It is also the most populous French-speaking city in Africa, even though the official political capital of Ivory Coast is Yamoussoukro. Abidjan’s growth began in the 1930s when a new wharf and the Vridi Canal transformed it into a seaport.

It became the capital of the French colony in 1933 and remained the country’s administrative center after gaining independence in 1960.

In 1983, Yamoussoukro was designated the political capital, but Abidjan retained its title as the “economic capital.” According to legend, the city’s name came from a misunderstanding between a local villager and a European explorer.

The villager, thinking he was being asked why he was cutting leaves, replied in his native Ebrié language, “I just cut the leaves,” which the explorer mistook as the name of the place.

3. Kano – 3,626,068

Kano is the capital of Kano State, with over three million people living within an area of 449 km² (173 sq mi), it is Nigeria’s second-largest city after Lagos.

Kano has been a huge center of trade and settlement for thousands of years, particularly due to its location along the trans-Saharan trade routes.

The city was initially known as Dala, named after the hill where it began, and later became a key player in the region’s history.

It was ruled by different dynasties, including the Bagauda dynasty and the Fulani rulers who led the city after the 19th-century jihad.

Kano became part of the Sokoto Caliphate and was a major economic hub, for its cotton, leatherwork, and textiles.

Islam arrived in the 11th century, and by the 15th century, under the rule of Muhammad Rumfa, the city became one of the most prosperous centers of the trans-Saharan trade.

During British colonial rule, Kano was incorporated into Northern Nigeria, and after independence, it became a notable part of the modern nation-state.

Also, the city has faced challenges, like political violence and the rise of extremist groups such as Boko Haram in recent years.

4. Ibadan – 3,565,108

Ibadan, the capital and largest city of Oyo State, Nigeria, is one of the biggest cities in West Africa. With a population of 3,568,108 as of 2024, it ranks as the third-largest city in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano.

It is also one of the largest cities in sub-Saharan Africa and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the region. The city is home to many ethnic groups, with the Yoruba people being the dominant group.

Located in southwestern Nigeria, about 129 kilometers from Lagos and 530 kilometers from Abuja, It was founded in 1829 during a period of upheaval in Yorubaland, serving as a military base and later expanding into a thriving trade hub.

Ibadan was the largest city in Nigeria at the time of independence in 1960 and became an integral center for both trade and military power.

Ibadan was historically an administrative hub, serving as the headquarters of the Western Provinces during the British colonial era.

And, today, it continues to be a major center for trade, education, and technology, ranking third in West Africa for tech startups.

5. Dakar – 2,476,400

Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal, located on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of mainland Africa.

With a population of about 2.4 million people in the city and 4 million in the metropolitan area, Dakar is one of the largest cities in West Africa.

The region was first settled by the Lebou people, and by the 15th century, the Portuguese arrived, using the nearby island of Gorée for the transatlantic slave trade.

Then, the French took control in the 17th century, and Dakar grew into a massive port city. In 1902, Dakar replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa and became a center for the French Empire. During colonial rule, the city developed rapidly, with infrastructure projects like railways, ports, and public works.

After World War II, Dakar was instrumental in the rise of African nationalism, particularly following the Thiaroye massacre in 1944, which sparked general protests against colonial policies. However, Dakar became the capital of Senegal after the country gained independence in 1960.

6. Accra – 1,963,264

Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located along the southern coast of West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea. The city covers an area of 20.4 km² within the Accra Metropolitan District and has a population of 284,124 as of the 2021 census.

Also, the Greater Accra Region, which includes Accra and surrounding areas, spans 3,245 km² and is home to 5,455,692 people.

The metropolitan area, known as the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), is populated by approximately 4 million people, making it one of the largest urban centers in Africa.

Accra’s history dates back to the British colonial era when it served as the capital of the Gold Coast between 1877 and 1957.

The city developed from different settlements, including Jamestown, Usshertown, and Christiansborg, which were originally built around forts established by the British, Dutch, and Danes.

However, the city is a bustling metropolis with a mix of historical colonial buildings and modern structures like skyscrapers and apartment complexes.

Economically, Accra is the heart of Ghana’s business and government activities. In 2020, Accra was recognized as a “Gamma −” level global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

7. Conakry – 1,767,200

Conakry is the capital and largest city of Guinea, serving as the country’s economic, financial, and cultural hub. Located on the West African coast, Conakry is a port city.

It was originally established on Tombo Island and later expanded onto the Kaloum Peninsula, a narrow strip of land. The city was officially founded after Britain ceded Tombo Island to France in 1887.

Conakry became the capital of French Guinea in 1904 and grew as an export center for groundnuts, following the construction of a railway to Kankan.

The population of Conakry has increased significantly over the years. In 1958, it was home to about 50,000 people, growing to 600,000 by 1980.

Today, estimates suggest a population of around 1.7 million, making up roughly one-sixth of Guinea’s total population.

This rapid growth has placed a strain on the city’s infrastructure. Conakry has also witnessed notable historical events.

In 1970, it was the site of a military raid by Portuguese forces during the independence struggle in neighboring Guinea-Bissau.

Also, during the rule of President Sekou Toure, Camp Boiro in Conakry became infamous as a detention center. More recently, the city was the center of international attention during the 2009 Guinea protests, when security forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of 157 people.

8. Kaduna – 1,582,102

Kaduna, the capital city of Kaduna State in north-western Nigeria is one of the biggest cities in West Africa. It sits along the Kaduna River and serves as a major trade and transportation hub, connecting northern states through its rail and road networks.

Kaduna was once the political capital of Northern Nigeria. In 2006, the Nigerian census recorded 760,084 residents. By 2024, the city’s estimated population had reached 1.5 million.

However, the name “Kaduna” likely comes from the Hausa word Kaddanni, meaning crocodiles, while another theory ties it to the Gbagyi word Odna, meaning river.

Founded in 1900 by British colonists, Kaduna became the capital of Northern Nigeria in 1917. It maintained this status until 1967 when the region was divided into smaller states.

Kaduna’s economy thrives on industries like textiles, machinery, and oil refining. The city also hosts Peugeot’s assembly plant and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

Kaduna also offers numerous attractions, like the Kaduna National Museum, Kajuru Castle, and Murtala Mohammed Square.

9. Kumasi – 1,468,609

Kumasi is the capital of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It is the second-largest city in Ghana, with a population of 1.4 million as of the 2024 estimates.

Kumasi was the capital of the Ashanti Empire, founded in the late 1600s by Asantehene Osei Kofi Tutu I. After British control in 1896 and Ghana’s independence in 1957, Kumasi became the capital of the Ashanti Region.

The city is still the seat of the Asantehene and is often called “The Garden City” due to its greenery. Kumasi is a major economic center, home to West Africa’s largest market, Kejetia Market, and a hub for trade and industry, including timber processing.

It is also known for cultural landmarks such as the Centre for National Culture and educational institutions like Wesley College of Education.

10. Bamako – 1,297,281

Bamako, one of the largest cities in West Africa is the capital and largest city of Mali, located along the Niger River in the southwest of the country.

It has a population of 1,297,281 as of 2024 estimates. The city is Mali’s main administrative and commercial center. Bamako has a unique location near the rapids that divide the upper and middle Niger valleys, and its river port is in Koulikoro, a short distance away.

Bamako is a regional trade center and produces goods like textiles, processed meat, and metal products. Commercial fishing is also common on the Niger River.

It is the tenth-largest city in West Africa, following major cities like Lagos and Abidjan. In recent years, Bamako has seen notable urban development, with new buildings, shopping malls, and improved infrastructure.

It is home to famous landmarks like the University of Bamako, the National Museum of Mali, and the Grand Mosque of Bamako. The city also has a different architectural style.

Bamako has been an important settlement since ancient times, benefiting from the fertile lands of the Niger River Valley. It became the capital of French Sudan in 1908 and later, in 1960, the capital of independent Mali.