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Cape Town ranked Africa’s best city brand
Cape Town is ranked as Africa’s best city brand and 60th globally, followed by Johannesburg in 72nd spot, according to the inaugural Brand Finance City Index.
Presented by brand evaluation consultancy Brand Finance, the rankings are based on a global survey of close to 15,000 members of the public conducted in April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents to measure perceptions of the world’s top 100 cities. The Index has named London as the best city brand in the world, followed by New York and Paris.
Cape Town’s position as a continental leader can be attributed to its status as South Africa’s most visited city, with a high reputation and consideration as a destination to visit. The city's natural beauty, with its stunning coastline, mountains, and diverse landscapes, make it one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations. The city offers a rich cultural heritage, ranking 33rd for being diverse and multicultural, warm hospitality, and adventurous attractions. It also ranks 15th for affordability and 18th for nice weather, further enhancing its popularity amongst tourists from around the world.
To arrive at a comprehensive assessment of the city brands in the ranking, alongside measuringfamiliarity, the survey asked the respondents about the general reputation and their personal consideration of each city as a place to live, work locally, work remotely, study, retire, visit, or invest in. The evaluation of preferences across these seven dimensions was complemented by perceptions of 45 underlying city brand attributes, grouped under seven pillars, such as Business & Investment or Sustainability & Transport.
While Cape Town continues to face socioeconomic challenges, it ranks positively for the attribute of future growth potential, in 18th position globally. This is largely attributed to its growing tourism industry, which presents opportunities for economic growth and job creation. Further, Cape Town's strategic location as a major port and transportation hub in South Africa offers a gateway to trade and investment opportunities, especially with emerging markets in Africa.
Below Cape Town and Egypt’s Cairo (67th), Johannesburg is ranked as the 72nd best city brand in the world and 3rd in Africa in the Brand Finance City Index. Experiencing higher crime rates compared to other areas in South Africa, Johannesburg is held back by a relatively low rankingfor perceptions of crime levels (76th).
On the other hand, like Cape Town, Johannesburg also ranks highly for future growth potential, at 25th globally. Although not as popular as Cape Town among tourists, Johannesburg is widely recognised as the economic powerhouse of South Africa and a significant financial and business hub in Africa. The city has a robust economy, a large and skilled workforce, and many universities.
Jeremy Sampson, Managing Director, Brand Finance Africa: “With its exceptional beauty and extraordinary diversity, South Africa is truly a remarkable nation that enjoys a lively reputation for tourism. South African cities must continue to focus on promoting their vibrant cultural scenes, sustainable urban development, and investment in infrastructure. Further, by prioritising safety, inclusivity, and social equality, South African cities can create welcoming environments that encourage tourism and promote more positive global perceptions in the coming years.”
