UN: Half of world's population growth is likely to occur in Africa

By Yemisi Adegoke, CNN

Updated 1214 GMT (2014 HKT) June 26, 2017

A 2015 report by PwC ranked 20 African "Cities of Opportunity," looking at a number of factors, including infrastructure, human capital, economics and society and demographics. The Egyptian capital of Cairo topped the list thanks to its large scale, middle class and international clout, although analysts observed current political turmoil as a potential sticking point for investors.<br />
Photos: Economic potential of African urban centers
1. Cairo, Egypt – A 2015 report by PwC ranked 20 African "Cities of Opportunity," looking at a number of factors, including infrastructure, human capital, economics and society and demographics. The Egyptian capital of Cairo topped the list thanks to its large scale, middle class and international clout, although analysts observed current political turmoil as a potential sticking point for investors.
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North African cities dominated the top five, with Tunis coming second. Analysts cited the city's top ranking health system and number of graduate enrollments, with Tunis trumping the rest of African urban centers in terms of human capital.
Photos: Economic potential of African urban centers
2. Tunis, Tunisia – North African cities dominated the top five, with Tunis coming second. Analysts cited the city's top ranking health system and number of graduate enrollments, with Tunis trumping the rest of African urban centers in terms of human capital.
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An anomaly among the top five, Johannesburg is both south of the Sahara and, having been founded in only 1886, is a relative newcomer. The South African city performed strongly in all main categories with the exception of society and demographics, where high crime, stagnating middle-class and overall population growth hindered the city.<br />
Photos: Economic potential of African urban centers
3. Johannesburg, South Africa – An anomaly among the top five, Johannesburg is both south of the Sahara and, having been founded in only 1886, is a relative newcomer. The South African city performed strongly in all main categories with the exception of society and demographics, where high crime, stagnating middle-class and overall population growth hindered the city.
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Casablanca triumphed in the hotly-contested economics index, coming first in GDP diversity and as a key location for Top 500 company headquarters -- top transport and energy infrastructure rankings no doubt helped in this sense. However, and like Tunis, the city was let down by poor diversity and population growth, typical of the North African cities surveyed.
Photos: Economic potential of African urban centers
4. Casablanca, Morocco – Casablanca triumphed in the hotly-contested economics index, coming first in GDP diversity and as a key location for Top 500 company headquarters -- top transport and energy infrastructure rankings no doubt helped in this sense. However, and like Tunis, the city was let down by poor diversity and population growth, typical of the North African cities surveyed.
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Algiers was a high achiever in terms of human capital, with the second highest rate of graduates and an excellent health system. Its mid-table position in economics hindered its progress up the table, and while its middle-class numbers stagnate, crime levels were one of the lowest in Africa.