Africa's 2 incredible mega-cities merging into 1 huge metropolis

Experts say two huge cities are set to become one. (Image: Getty)

Africa is rapidly developing as a continent, and its cities are getting larger. In fact, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs projected that the world’s 10 fastest growing cities between 2018 and 2035 would all be on the continent. One its largest cities is the most populous in South Africa, Johannesburg, whose current metro area population is around 6,445,000 - a 1.91% increase from 2024, according to Macrotrends. Nearby is Pretoria, which is a smaller population of about 2,955,000 - a 2.25% increase when compared to 2024.

Both are located in the Gauteng province, which has increasingly operated as the country's most important economic region. The UN says that South Africa is one of the most urbanised countries in Africa, with around 67% of its population living in urban areas. This is projected to increase to around 80% by 2050. Experts add that the north-eastern part of the state is experiencing the highest growth rates thanks to the regional and national development corridors that reach the South African seaports - Durban and Cape Town - via Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Pretoria is home to more than two million people. (Image: Getty)

The two cities will merge into a new mega-city by 2030, with a population exceeding 10million, those in the know have suggested.

Pam Golding’s Annual real estate review analysed influential property trends taking place across South Africa, and found that, despite many homeowners in the region continuing to "semigrate" elsewhere, including to places like Cape Town and Umhlanga, more people are moving to Johannesburg and Pretoria, Businesstech reports.

The development is set include 19 new stations on the Gautrain network - an 80-kilometre mass rapid transit railway system which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and O. R. Tambo International Airport - including a link to Lanseria Airport.

The populations of Africa's cities are set to increase (Image: Getty)

Pam Golding's report read: “Centres such as Sandton, Rosebank, Fourways, Midrand, Pretoria East and a number of others are continuing to develop strongly, demonstrating a high degree of confidence from investors.

“The growth of these centres tends to have a positive impact on local residential property markets within and around them, often generating a demand for residential properties close by, as residents seek to avoid increasing traffic volumes and reduce transport costs as far as possible by living closer to places of work, schools and other amenities.”

Experts state that “a massive migration to Gauteng is also ongoing", with the expansion of African cities, in particular those located in the province, are to attract more than 300,000 people every year.