Information about the most expensive countries in Africa may come in handy when a person is about to visit the continent for the first time, or when a person is considering a long term stay either for work or some personal project.
Please note that the data contained in this past is quite subjective; a person’s individual taste have to be considered. While it is possible to live off the grid; only spending money for food and other necessary items, it is also important to note that there is no luxury or pleasure on earth which cannot be found in Africa- for the right price.
From the lofty heights of 5 star hotels to the village huts in the hinterland, there has to be a middle ground; an average which will be used to determine what countries are most expensive.
Most Expensive Countries In Africa
1. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has suffered the crippling effects of international sanctions, and as a result the economy has faltered. The currency has been hit most severely, and the local population has been forced to find alternatives, including using the currencies of neighboring countries. In a last ditch act of desperation, the country has adopted gold coins as currency; data is still being collected as to the effects of this policy.
Nevertheless, Zimbabwe continues to be the most expensive country in Africa; citizens are mostly concerned with getting the things they need today, rather than setting something aside for tomorrow.
Everyday commodities are very expensive; sugar, milk, and flour are sold for grossly inflated prices; and citizens have to cough out the money in order to survive on a daily basis.
2. Djibouti
Djibouti is a small country on the horn of Africa. It is interesting to note how the people of this country have adopted a liking to luxury goods without raising their production capacity. As a result the country has become an import dependent nation with a very high taste for expensive items.
This will sure mean a lot of negatives for the economy going forward, but the citizens have made the country quite popular as a small country with big spenders. They spend big on accommodation, clothing, and many other things. Hotels in this country can be quite expensive, and the nightlife too takes a lot of money.
Luxury goods such as nice cars, boats, and wine are popular, but very expensive.
3. Gabon
Gabon’s is a small oil driven economy; and the currency is the Central African Franc which is tied to the French Franc. The country’s economy is heavily linked with France which means that not only are goods and services exchanged between both countries; personnel are also exchanged.
The expats in the country may have helped drive up prices due to the comparatively standards of living they enjoy; and that has also caused the people adopt a taste for luxury as well. The result is that the prices of goods and services are climbing steadily.
The government is tinkering with ways to reduce the high cost of living, but they have to be careful because many companies that offer services will suffer, and that could further worsen things.
4. Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe is an island country located off the shore of the western side of central Africa. This is one of Africa’s smallest countries but it has traditionally been of the most expensive places to live on the continent.
These islands depend heavily on trade with Europe; and chief among them being Portugal. The country has many Europeans doing business within its shores, and many others come in to spend their leisure time.
These visitors come with a demand for luxury goods, which is soon also adopted by the local population. As a result the people seen unconcerned about spending huge amounts on the smallest things.
5. Central African Republic
Central African Republic is a country in the heart of Africa. This means it is completely landlocked; and has neighbors with huge land areas on all sides. This creates a problem for bring in goods into the country because CAR has no sea ports; goods sometimes have to pass through multiple borders before reaching the country.
This makes most things a lot more expensive; furthermore, one may experience delays before receiving certain items. Nevertheless, the people seem contended; maybe because there are many local substitutes for items which would otherwise be imported.
6. Namibia
Namibia has a taste for the finer things in life; Namibians drink fine wine, eat good food, and dress like aristocrats. This luxurious lifestyle is quite tasking on the economy; the demand has to be compensated by other means so as not to put too much pressure on the currency.
There are several other factors that influence the high cost of living in the country; there are too many monopolies, and this reality does not allow prices to be flexible in the country.
7. South Africa
South Africa is the richest country in Africa, and that naturally means that they are able to spend more money than most others. The problem with this notion is that not everyone in the country is rich; income inequality means that not everyone can afford to spend that money.
South Africa is seeing inflation at a worrying pace; and so many people are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for food, energy, and transportation.
8. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a small country in the western side of central Africa. It can even be described as a rich country by African standards due to its very good GDP per capita figures. The country runs on oil; this is one of the biggest suppliers of the product on the continent; and then it has a small population which means there is plenty to go round.
Many of the people therefore spend their plenty on luxuries; this is especially true among the political class; many of whom have been accused of wastefulness, rather than putting the country’s resources to better use.
Income inequality is a problem; and despite the country’s wealth there are many poor people in the country.
9. Niger
Niger is a country in West Africa; Libya and Nigeria are some of its nearest neighbors. Niger has no sea ports, and as a result goods have to spend more time on the road- at more costs- before they reach the shelves.
The result is that things can get unduly expensive in that country, especially those things for which no local substitutes exist.
10. Comoros
Comoros is an island country in the Indian Ocean; which is off the coast of east Africa. The country produces very little, and spends a lot on imports. Nevertheless, most Comorians enjoy quite a good lifestyle; they enjoy luxuries from France or French speaking African countries, and many families even receive remittances from relatives working abroad.
The country is starting to develop its economy and to explore its potential; if manufacturing becomes well established in Comoros it may even further drive up prices due to the already established spending habits.
The following is a more extensive list of the 30 most expensive countries in Africa.
| Rank | Country | Region |
| 1 | Zimbabwe | Southern Africa |
| 2 | Djibouti | East Africa |
| 3 | Gabon | Central Africa |
| 4 | Sao Tome and Principe | Central Africa |
| 5 | Central African Republic | Central Africa |
| 6 | Namibia | Southern Africa |
| 7 | South Africa | Southern Africa |
| 8 | Equatorial Guinea | West Africa |
| 9 | Niger | West Africa |
| 10 | Comoros | East Africa |
| 11 | Chad | |
| 12 | Lesotho | Southern Africa |
| 13 | Liberia | West Africa |
| 14 | Morocco | |
| 15 | Senegal | West Africa |
| 16 | Botswana | |
| 17 | Togo | West Africa |
| 18 | Cameroon | Central Africa |
| 19 | Guinea | West Africa |
| 20 | Kenya | East Africa |
| 21 | Ghana | West Africa |
| 22 | Mauritius | East Africa |
| 23 | Guinea-Bissau | West Africa |
| 24 | Malawi | East Africa |
| 25 | Nigeria | West Africa |
| 26 | Libya | North Africa |
| 27 | Tunisia | North Africa |
| 28 | Egypt | North Africa |
| 29 | Mauritania | North Africa |
| 30 | Burkina Faso | West Africa |
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Closing
The most expensive countries in Africa often have poor citizens who manage to find a way to live. This hints that it is quite possible for the average person to live on less even in those countries, although this may pose other challenges for the economy.
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