Africa is experiencing a mini-boom in skyscraper construction, with new towers rising in Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast and more. Degan is not opposed to skyscrapers in African cities per se, but he wants to see models that reflect African cultural identity. According to Jason M Barr, professor of economics at Rutgers University-Newark, the data points to a link between African skyscraper construction and economic growth. She sees a clear divide between skyscrapers rising in Egypt and those going up in other African cities. Electricity is another problem; unlike North Africa, cities in West and Sub-Saharan Africa regularly experience power outages.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 25, 2026 21:52 UTC