The disposal of waste is a problem for the government of most African countries. They have recognised that improper waste disposal leads to the proliferation of a number of diseases. This list consist of 11 countries who have managed to maintain some of the cleanest cities, especially in parts of the cities that attract tourists.
We know that every city has its pros and cons, so does it have corners that aren’t usually seen by tourists that aren’t so pretty, but allow us for this list to focus on the pretty.
Here’s our list of some of Africa’s cleanest cities.
11. Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek is the capital and economic center of Namibia. The government hires cleaning companies to keep the cities and suburbs clean and to distribute garbage bags to the residents of the city.
The government created a Solid Waste Management Division to prevent and minimize waste. It is the hope of the division that with education, the citizens will be more willing to create and maintain a clean environment.
Their efforts so far have made the eleventh cleanest city in Africa.
10. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam seems to be a thriving metropolitan in Tanzania. It is the city of arts, food, media, and fashion. This city is the first glimpse tourists get of Tanzania and as first impressions last; the authorities do their best to make it one of the cleanest African cities.
9. Libreville, Gabon
The oil-rich city of Libreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon. The Libreville municipality work to ensure that the wide avenues of the city are kept clean.
Authorities use some of the oil revenue to make it one of the cleanest cities in Africa The government outsources its waste management services to companies.
These companies collect waste, clean beaches, gutters, and drains. The combined efforts of these companies leave the streets of Gabon and its beautifully designed architecture gleaming.
8. Gaborone, Botswana
Gaborone, the heart of Botswana, is the seat of the government and the financial center of the country. it is no surprise that it is one of the cleanest cities in Africa.
Gabs, as it is known to friends, is kept clean with the help of the various policies put in place by the government. The government of Botswana trains waste managers, control and collect waste, institute laws and educate the citizens on how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
7. Tunis, Tunisia
The city of Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and the hub for commercial activity and the government administration. The city presents a perfect blend of history and modernization with its medina and European-like buildings.
Waste management continues to be a problem for them but the authorities are working hard to control and prevent waste creation. The government has put in laws in place to help correct the problem of waste disposal.
Persons who incorrectly dispose of their waste if caught are liable to spend 16 days to three months in prison or be fined 300-1,000 Euros.
6. Accra, Ghana
The capital of Ghana, Accra is the home of Ghana’s financial activity and government administration. The city sits on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. An accumulation of filth in the city led the President of Ghana to pledge to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa.
5. Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, the Green City of the Sun, is the capital of Kenya This city has the largest gaming reserve in the world, the Nairobi National Park. Nairobi is the financial center of Kenya and has many important buildings, one such being the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The central government is responsible for collecting waste. The government has also contracted private waste management companies to help with the alleviation of the city’s solid waste disposal problem.
4. Johannesburg, South Africa
The pathways of the city of Johannesburg have been fortunate enough to have had great men like Nelson Mandela leave their non-erasable footprints on its surface.
If you happen to be in Johannesburg, be sure to have keen eyes on the ground as this city is the marketplace for traders of gold and diamond. The municipality of the city is responsible for keeping the city clean.
A waste management information system was set up to record the management of waste. The municipality sets out waste management by-laws for households and businesses.
They also arrange for the collection of waste from the different entities and educate the citizens on proper waste disposal.
3. Port Louis, Mauritius
Port Lois is the capital of Mauritius. It is the center of politics, finance, and culture in Mauritius. Local authorities put collection schedules in place to collect waste. The council also cleans drains frequently in order to remove and prevent the accumulation of waste.
2. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is the home of the South African parliament. This city is well known for its beautiful landmarks and its close proximity to Robben Island.
The government along with a number of waste management companies keep the streets of this city clean. A second place ranking means that they have been doing a good job in keeping the city clean.
1. Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is a hive of economic, cultural and transport activities. To keep the city clean, the Rwandan President implemented a practice called Umuganda.
On the last Saturday in each month, traffic stops and the city comes together to clean the streets of Kigali Non-biodegradable plastic bags have been banned. The government fines persons or business with plastic bags.
The mayor has even introduced the teaching of cleanliness and hygiene awareness in primary schools. What can we say but, keep on working hard Kigali, you deserve to be in this position.