- The financial and commercial cities that boast prominent skylines in Africa include Cairo, Johannesburg, Casablanca and Nairobi
- Iconic Tower in the New Administrative Capital in Egypt is the tallest building in Africa, at 393.8 metres (1,292 ft)
- Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun owns the 250-metre Mohammed VI Tower skyscraper in Sale
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
In the last two decades, skyscrapers have been constructed in many African cities.
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The financial and commercial cities that boast prominent skylines include Cairo, Johannesburg, Casablanca and Nairobi.
Which are the tallest buildings in Africa?
1. Iconic Tower – New Administrative Capital, Egypt
The iconic Tower in the New Administrative Capital in Egypt is the tallest building in Africa, at 393.8 metres (1,292 ft).
It features 77 floors and is one of the 20 towers being constructed in Egypt’s new capital city.
The China Construction Engineering Company constructed the tower.
According to Remax, the building owned by the government of Egypt cost $3 billion (KSh 382 billion).
2. The Great Mosque of Algiers Tower – Algeria
The Great Mosque of Algiers Tower in Algeria top’s floor is 265m (870 ft).
Its mosque’s prayer hall, or salat, is 22,000 m2 (240,000 sq ft) and can hold 120,000 worshipers.
The white marble mihrab is situated to the east of the hall’s central nave, which is encircled by colonnades.
A 50 m (160 ft) circular dome that rises to a height of 70 m (230 ft) atop the hall.
VOA reported that the project by the Algerian government cost $898 million (KSh 114.3 billion).
3. Mohammed VI Tower – Morocco
Mohammed VI Tower is in Sale, Morocco, bordering Rabat.
The 250-metre skyscraper is owned by Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun and led by the company O’Tower.
Benjelloun is the chief executive officer of BMCE Group.
The rocket-shaped tower features a luxury hotel, offices and high-end apartments.
According to SkyscraperCity Forum, it cost 4 billion Moroccan dirhams (KSh 51.7 billion).
4. The Leonardo – South Africa
The Leonardo, in Sandton, Johannesburg, is 243m (768 feet) high and is a Legacy Group venture.
It features street-level shops, an above-ground podium, a swimming pool, a restaurant and other facilities.
As reported by Africa Check, the 55-storey building cost R 3 billion (KSh 21 billion). It provides direct employment to 2,000 people and indirect jobs to between 18,000 and 20,000 people.
5. Carlton Centre – South Africa
The Carlton Centre is a 50-story skyscraper and shopping centre situated on Commissioner Street in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa.
It was completed in 1973 and stands at 223 meters (732 feet). It held the title of the tallest structure in Africa for 46 years until 2019.
IOL reported Transnet, which manages the building, put it on sale for R 900 million (KSh 6.3 billion).
6. Hassan II Mosque – Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque is in Casablanca, Morocco.
It is among the largest mosques in the world and the second-largest operating mosque in Africa.
With a height of 210 meters (689 feet), its minaret is the second tallest in the world.
It was built by Moroccan artisans from all throughout the country. Michel Pinseau, under the direction of King Hassan II, designed and completed it in 1993.
It has a laser atop that rises to a height of 60 floors and points its light in the direction of Mecca.
7. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Towers
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia headquarters is the country’s tallest structure.
It is located in Addis Ababa and rises to 209 metres. It has 46 floors and is the tallest building in Eastern Africa.
Business Insider Africa reported it cost $303.5 million (KSh 38.6 billion).
8. Britam Tower – Kenya
Standing at 200 meters, the Britam Tower is currently the tallest complete building in Kenya.
The commercial building completed in 2017 is owned by the British-American Investments Company (Britam).
It has 31 floors above ground and three below. It has 1,002 parking spaces. It serves as Britam’s international headquarters and cost KSh 7 billion.
Which are the tallest buildings in Kenya?
Real estate consultancy firm Knight Frank ranked Nairobi as the top innovative city in Africa.
Tilda Mwai, a researcher for Africa at Knight Frank, said investors were willing to invest in Nairobi, Kampala, and Cape Town because of their high innovation scores.
Besides Britam Tower, other tallest buildings in Nairobi are the Nairobi Global Trade Centre Office Tower, UAP Towers and Times Tower.
Source: TUKO.co.ke