Top 10 African Cities with the Highest Crime Index at the Start of 2026
When planning travel, business expansion, or relocation within Africa, safety is often the primary concern. As we enter 2026, new data from Numbeo—a leading database of user-contributed data—has highlighted the urban centers facing the most significant safety challenges.
According to the latest Crime Index, South African cities continue to dominate the rankings, accounting for six of the top ten spots. Here is a detailed breakdown of the African cities with the highest crime indices at the start of 2026.
Understanding the Crime Index
The Numbeo Crime Index is an estimation of the overall level of crime in a given city. It takes into account factors such as:
* Perceptions of safety during day and night.
* Concerns regarding muggings or robberies.
* Prevalence of property crimes (burglary and car theft).
* Levels of violent crime and corruption.
A higher score indicates a higher perception of crime, while the Safety Index represents the inverse.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous African Cities in 2026
1. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
* Crime Index: 82.8
* Safety Index: 17.2
Pietermaritzburg holds the top spot for 2026. Residents report high levels of both violent and property-related crimes, making it the city with the lowest safety perception on the continent.
2. Pretoria, South Africa
* Crime Index: 81.8
* Safety Index: 18.2
Despite its status as the administrative capital, Pretoria struggles with high rates of street crime and housebreakings. Visitors are often cautioned to avoid certain central districts after dark.
3. Johannesburg, South Africa
* Crime Index: 80.8
* Safety Index: 19.2
As the economic heartbeat of South Africa, "Joburg" is a hub of opportunity but remains plagued by high-profile violent incidents. The use of private security and gated communities is standard practice for residents here.
4. Durban, South Africa
* Crime Index: 80.4
* Safety Index: 19.6
This major port city and tourist destination faces persistent issues with armed robberies and theft, particularly in high-traffic urban areas.
5. Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), South Africa
* Crime Index: 78.6
* Safety Index: 21.4
Often called the "Friendly City," the data suggests a different reality for residents. Port Elizabeth continues to grapple with systemic crime that impacts its industrial and transport sectors.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
* Crime Index: 73.7
* Safety Index: 26.3
While globally renowned for its natural beauty and tourism, Cape Town remains on the list due to high levels of gang-related activity and crime in specific outlying townships, though the city center remains heavily policed.
7. Lagos, Nigeria
* Crime Index: 68.8
* Safety Index: 31.2
As Africa’s largest megacity, Lagos faces unique challenges including petty theft, "one-chance" robberies in traffic, and occasional violent crime. Its rapid population growth often outpaces local law enforcement resources.
8. Windhoek, Namibia
* Crime Index: 67.6
* Safety Index: 32.4
While Namibia is generally seen as stable, its capital, Windhoek, has seen a rise in opportunistic street crime and residential burglaries over the past year.
9. Harare, Zimbabwe
* Crime Index: 60.7
* Safety Index: 39.3
Economic instability continues to drive moderate crime levels in Harare. While violent crime is less frequent than in South Africa, petty theft and scams are common concerns.
10. Nairobi, Kenya
* Crime Index: 59.4
* Safety Index: 40.6
Rounding out the top ten is Nairobi. While it is the safest city on this specific list, "The Green City in the Sun" still battles issues with phone snatching, carjackings, and residential security.
Key Takeaways for 2026
The 2026 data underscores a heavy concentration of crime perceptions in Southern Africa, particularly South Africa. While these indices are based on user experiences and perceptions rather than official police statistics, they offer a vital "boots-on-the-ground" perspective for anyone living in or visiting these major African hubs.