Windhoek has been ranked among Africa’s top-performing cities, placing eighth on the continent and 411th globally.
This is revealed in the 2026 Oxford Economics Global Cities Index.
The ranking assessed 1 000 cities worldwide across five key areas: economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.
City of Windhoek in a statement issued on Monday says Windhoek’s strongest performance was recorded in the environment category, where it achieved a score of 84. The city recorded 63.4 in the governance category.
“This reflected its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible urban development. The ranking reinforces Windhoek’s position as one of Africa’s leading urban centres and highlights environmental sustainability as one of the city’s key competitive advantages,” the statement reads.
The city says Windhoek’s environmental performance compares favourably with several major African cities included in the assessment.
It says the recognition reflects its continued efforts to build a sustainable, inclusive and caring city.
“The results also provide valuable insights into areas where we can strengthen our competitiveness, improve service delivery and enhance the overall well-being of our residents,” it says.
The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index provides a comparative assessment of cities around the world, examining their strengths, opportunities and challenges. The index is intended to provide policymakers, investors, businesses and other stakeholders with insights into urban economies and their future development prospects.
