Africa and the Middle East are evolving regions with growing attention to inclusivity, though progress on LGBTQ+ rights varies widely. While some cities are making strides toward fostering equality and openness, challenges remain due to legal and cultural barriers. Recent advocacy efforts and global partnerships have sparked dialogue and incremental change, signaling a slow but hopeful shift toward greater inclusivity for LGBTQ+ communities.
Africa and the Middle East are evolving regions
City ratings
BBB
Tel Aviv
CC
Abu Dhabi
Cape Town ▼
Dubai
Johannesburg
C
Doha ▲
Durban ▼
▼ City has declined since 2022 ▲ City has improved since 2022 ✷ New city
DDD
Istanbul
DD
Casablanca ▲
Rabat ▲
Dakar ▲
✷ Kigali
Tunis ▼
✷ Kampala
Addis Ababa
Kuwait City
D
Amman
Lagos
Cairo
Nairobi ▼
E
Dar es Salaam
Tehran
▼ City has declined since 2022 ▲ City has improved since 2022 ✷ New city
Region headlines
Nairobi maintains it's position in this year's City Ratings, driven by strong post pandemic service sector led economic recovery, particularly in financial services, technology and tourism. As the region's premier tech hub, the city continues to strengthen its reputation for innovation and entrepeneurship, scoring above average for innovation, suggesting untapped potential for further development. In the past years, the city has seen some positive legal developments for its LGBTQ+ community, notably the Supreme Court's landmark decision to allow registration of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
However, recent events signal a concerning shift in the opposite direction. The proposed Family Protection Bill has sparked concerns within civil society about the future of inclusion and economic growth in the capital.
Kampala and Kigali, both major East African economic and political capitals, have been included in the Open for Busness City Ratings for the first time this year. Both cities are experiencing digital transformation and growing middle classes, yet Kigali scores marginally higher on economic performance and innovation.
Uganda's 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act has significantly impacted its economy in the past year, with up to $1.6 billion - 3.2% of its GDP - in the twelve months following its implementation. Rwanda's policies are less severe than Uganda's, yet LGBTQ+ individuals still face significant social stigma and lack legal protections, placing Kigali in the "not open for business" category.
Lagos maintains its position as West Africa's economic capital and financial hub, despite significant structural challenges, ranging from inconsistent policies to infrastructure deficits.
However, one emerging bright spot in the past years has been the growing LGBTQ+ visibility in the fashion industry. This is however not representative of the reality of the queer community in the city. Punitive laws and conservative cultural attitudes severely restrict inclusiveness in Lagos. These challenges, combined with safety concerns, could pose a long-term disincentive for businesses to consider alternative locations in the region.