Kampala Most Affordable City in EAC-Survey

October 9, 2020

2 minutes read

Kampala Most Affordable City in EAC-Survey

Mercer has released its 23rd annual Cost of Living Survey for 2017, highlighting that cities in Africa, Asia, and Europe dominate the list of the most expensive locations for expatriates.

Among the over 400 cities surveyed, Kampala (Uganda) ranks 186 out of 187, making it the most affordable city in the East African Community (EAC). In comparison, Nairobi (Kenya) ranks 111 out of 116, while Kigali (Rwanda) is at 147 out of 139. Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) ranks 164 out of 174.

The report indicates that factors such as housing market instability and inflation in goods and services significantly impact the overall cost of doing business globally.

Ilya Bonic, Senior Partner and President of Mercer’s Career business, stated, “The globalization of the marketplace is well documented, with many companies operating in multiple locations and promoting international assignments to enhance future managers’ experiences. Sending employees overseas, whether for short or long-term assignments, offers numerous personal and organizational benefits, including career development, skill transfer, and resource reallocation.”

According to Mercer’s 2017 survey, Asian and European cities dominate the list of the most expensive cities for expatriates, with Luanda (Angola) topping the chart due to high costs of goods and security. Other expensive cities include Hong Kong (2), Tokyo (3), Zurich (4), and Singapore (5). The top ten also features Seoul (6), Geneva (7), Shanghai (8), New York City (9), and Bern (10). On the opposite end, the least expensive cities for expatriates are Tunis (209), Bishkek (208), and Skopje (206).

Mercer’s survey is one of the most comprehensive in the world, helping multinational companies and governments establish compensation allowances for expatriate employees. New York serves as the base city for comparison, with all other cities measured against it, considering currency fluctuations against the US dollar.

The survey analyzes over 400 cities across five continents, assessing the cost of more than 200 items, including housing, transportation, food, clothing, household goods, and entertainment.

Mr. Bonic added, “Historically, mobility, talent management, and rewards have been managed separately, but organizations are now adopting a more integrated approach to enhance their mobility strategies. Competitive compensation must be determined based on the cost of living, currency, and location.”

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

Trump

Trump to Host African Leaders for Trade Summit in July 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump will host a mini-summit with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, ...

Trump Administration Shuts Down USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a cornerstone of U.S. foreign assistance for ...

Violent Protests Grip Lomé Over Political Reforms

According to preliminary reports on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at least seven people have been ...

Kylian Mbappé Accuses PSG of Moral Harassment

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has filed a legal ...

Features

Netherlands Returns 119 Looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Netherlands returned 119 looted artifacts, known as the Benin ...

Ngugi-wa-Thiongo

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o:Passed the pen to the Next Generation.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a legendary Kenyan writer, scholar, and revolutionary voice in African literature passed ...

ECOWAS

ECOWAS Celebrates 50th Anniversary Amid Sahel States Tensions

On May 28, 1975, fifteen West African nations signed the Lagos Treaty, establishing the Economic ...

What Really Moves Bitcoin’s Price? A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Drivers of Volatility and Value

What Really Moves Bitcoin’s Price? A Comprehensive Guide to the Key Drivers of Volatility and Value

​Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, has captivated the financial world with its innovative technology and notable ...

Guinea Sets September 2025 Date for Constitutional Referendum as Military Inches Toward Democratic Transition

Guinea Sets September 2025 Date for Constitutional Referendum as Military Inches Toward Democratic Transition

Guinea’s military-led government has officially announced that a national referendum on a new constitution will ...

Ivory Coast economic growth

Côte d’Ivoire’s Economic Boom Faces Political Test in 2025 Election

Ivory Coast’s Economic Success: A Model for West Africa Côte d’Ivoire has emerged as one ...

Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley: The Trailblazing African American Poet Who Defied Oppression

Phillis Wheatley: A Pioneer in Black Literature and Poetry Phillis Wheatley was a groundbreaking poet ...

Women Participation in Politics

International Women’s Day 2025: Advancing Rights, Equality, and Leadership for African Women

The 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” ...

Latest News

Today in History

July 3rd is the day in 1819 that the Bank of Savings in New York City, the first savings bank in the United States, opens.

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram383.491
GH Ghana Cedi10.3216
GM Gambian Dalasi71.5
GN Guinea Franc8,645.21
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,529.16
CF CFA Franc BEAC555.9844
03 Jul · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 03 Jul 2025 09:05 UTC
Latest change: 03 Jul 2025 09:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?