Africa has now surpassed 500 verified coworking spaces. This growth is being fueled by a mix of demographic, economic, and technological changes, from a rising urban youth population to the widespread normalization of remote work.
According to Business Insider Africa, coworking hubs are booming across major African cities, offering flexible alternatives to traditional office space. The main drivers behind this surge include escalating commercial rent prices, demand for short-term leases, increased startup activity, and government support through innovation zones and favorable business reforms.
International operators like Regus have made notable expansions into cities such as Lagos, Dakar, and Casablanca, while platforms like Impact Hub and Seedspace are actively supporting entrepreneurs in Kigali and Abidjan.Â
Private investment, both local and foreign, is also accelerating the development of real estate suited for coworking and remote collaboration.
Among the top coworking hotspots, Lagos leads the continent with 120 coworking spaces, largely due to the Nigerian city’s vibrant tech and creative startup ecosystem. Nairobi follows with 94 spaces, particularly concentrated in innovation-focused districts like Westlands. Cairo boasts 85 hubs, benefiting from a mix of traditional business zones and emerging smart city developments.
Other cities making the top 10 list include Johannesburg (67), Cape Town (64), Casablanca (42), Accra (26), Abidjan (13), Dakar (7), and Kigali (6). These cities vary in size and industry focus but share a common thread: a growing appetite for flexible, community-oriented work environments.
While Africa’s coworking expansion was once concentrated in a few major capitals, the current trend shows a decentralization, with mid-sized cities increasingly positioning themselves as regional startup ecosystems. Governments and private stakeholders alike are recognizing the role of coworking in boosting entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment opportunities in an increasingly digital economy.
