By Asma Mohamud - Reporter
Africa (Dawan Africa) 8 May 2026 A new continental report ranking the safety and stability of Africa’s capitals placed Nairobi ahead of other capitals in the Horn of Africa and neighboring region, including Djibouti City, Addis Ababa, Asmara and Mogadishu.
The “Africa Safety Ranking 2026” report, published by The Global Herald, evaluated all 54 African capital cities using indicators including crime rates, political stability, law enforcement effectiveness, infrastructure, health security and conflict risks.
The Global Herald describes itself as an international news and analysis publication focused on world affairs, public policy and global development issues. According to the publication, the ranking was compiled using data from crime statistics, government sources, security reports and expert assessments covering political stability, law enforcement, infrastructure and conflict risks across African capitals.
According to the ranking, Nairobi was placed 16th overall among Africa’s capitals, making it the highest-ranked city in the Horn of Africa region covered by Dawan Africa.
Djibouti City ranked 22nd, while Addis Ababa came 33rd and Asmara ranked 34th.
Mogadishu was ranked 29th in the report, ahead of capitals including Yaoundé, Brazzaville and Maputo.
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The report said several African capitals recorded improvements in crime reduction, infrastructure investment and political stability compared with previous years.
It also highlighted the role of governance, urban planning, public services and community engagement in improving safety and resilience across African cities.
Mauritius’ capital Port Louis topped the continental ranking, followed by Gaborone in Botswana and Windhoek in Namibia.
At the lower end of the ranking were capitals affected by armed conflict and political instability, including Juba, Tripoli, Bangui and Kinshasa.
The report described safety as “not just the absence of danger, but the presence of opportunity and justice for all,” stressing that long-term stability depends on governance, investment and social development.