Africa is a continent of bold contrasts, deep history and forward-thinking design. This Africa Month, we’re celebrating ten of the most iconic buildings in Africa, with quite a number of them being born of architectural firms in South Africa. These beautiful structures don’t just shape skylines but also tell stories of heritage, innovation and cultural pride.
The Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali
Built entirely from sun-dried mud bricks, this mosque is a masterpiece of Sudano-Sahelian architecture. Re-plastered by hand every year, it’s as much a community effort as it is a spiritual space.
- The Zeitz MOCAA, South Africa
Housed in a converted grain silo in Cape Town, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, designed by Thomas Heatherwick with local teams, stands as a shining example of adaptive reuse. The bold, concrete geometry inside redefines what an art museum can feel like.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
A nod to the ancient Library of Alexandria, Bibliotheca Alexandrina leans forward in time. Designed by Norwegian firm Snøhetta with Egyptian collaborators, its sloped granite disc is inscribed with scripts from every known language.
- Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre, South Africa
Peter Rich’s design in Limpopo fuses modern techniques with traditional methods. Built by local artisans using earth and tile vaults, this award-winning structure honours both the land and its people.
- Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Kenya
Designed by Norwegian architect Karl Henrik Nøstvik and Kenyan David Mutiso, the KICC’s cylindrical tower is a Nairobi landmark, with a rooftop that offers the best panoramic view of the city.
- The National Theatre, Ghana
This ship-like structure in Accra, designed by Chinese architects with Ghanaian influence, marries drama with tradition.
- Makoko Floating School, Nigeria
Kunlé Adeyemi’s experimental floating structure in Lagos sparked global conversations about climate-resilient design. Though it was short-lived, its influence lives on in architectural circles worldwide.
- Bank of Kigali Headquarters, Rwanda
A beacon of Kigali’s rapid development, this sustainable high-rise was co-designed by local and international architects. It reflects the city’s push for modernity with a strong local identity.
- Reunification Monument, Cameroon
This twisting concrete sculpture in Yaoundé is symbolic and controversial but undeniably iconic. It reminds us that architecture often carries political and emotional weight.
- The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Côte d’Ivoire
Inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, yet bigger in area, this grand structure in Yamoussoukro is striking in both scale and ambition and is an example of how African architecture can echo global dialogue.
This Africa Month, let’s honour the brilliance rising from our continent, from sacred mud walls to sky-piercing towers. Architectural firms in South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt and beyond continue to bring world-class visions to life. If you have an architectural project in Cape Town or Durban, contact Dscape Architects to help you bring your unique vision to life.
