At a Glance
- Egypt’s 393.8-meter Iconic Tower leads Africa’s vertical race, serving as a mixed-use beacon of modernity in the heart of the New Administrative Capital.
- Morocco’s Mohammed VI Tower combines sustainable design and luxury at 250 meters, reshaping the Salé skyline with LEED Gold certification.
- Ethiopia’s 209.3-meter Commercial Bank HQ signals East Africa’s economic momentum, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s role as a rising financial hub.
Africa’s skyline is reaching bold new heights, led by Egypt’s Iconic Tower—the continent’s tallest at 393.8 meters.
From Kenya’s striking Britam Tower to Algeria’s Great Mosque of Algiers, with the world’s tallest minaret at 264.3 meters, these structures are more than feats of engineering—they are symbols of cultural pride, economic ambition, and futuristic design.
Morocco’s Mohammed VI Tower, rising 250 meters over the Bouregreg River, blends eco-conscious architecture with luxury.
South Africa’s Leonardo and Carlton Centre anchor Johannesburg’s skyline, while Ethiopia’s Commercial Bank HQ and CBE Tower reflect the nation’s financial ascent.
Egypt shines again with the newly completed Alamein Downtown Iconic Towers, while Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque minaret remains a timeless marvel.
Together, these towering landmarks—spotlighted by shore.africa—signal Africa’s vertical rise, shaping tomorrow’s skylines and driving progress across the continent.
- Iconic Tower
Country: Egypt
Height: 393.8 meters tall(77 floors)
Location and use: The Iconic Tower, soaring to 393.8 meters with 77 floors, reigns as Africa’s tallest building and stands as the focal point of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Situated in the Central Business District (CBD), this mixed-use skyscraper blends office spaces, luxury hotel accommodations, and residential units. Designed to house a variety of tenants, including government offices, multinational companies, and hospitality services, it exemplifies modern urban living. The tower is equipped with cutting-edge vertical transportation systems by KONE, including 36 MiniSpace™ elevators, 13 MonoSpace® elevators, seven TranSys™ freight elevators, and four TransitMaster™ 120 escalators. These systems are optimized with KONE’s Destination Control System, enhancing efficiency and minimizing wait times for occupants. - Great Mosque of Algiers Tower
Country: Algeria
Height: 264.3 meters (36 floors)
Location and use: Algiers, Algeria. Completed in 2019, the Great Mosque of Algiers Tower—also known as the Djamaa El Djazair minaret—is the tallest structure in Algeria and the tallest minaret in the world. Part of the Grand Mosque complex, it features a combination of Islamic architecture and modern design, housing observation decks, cultural spaces, and a library. The tower stands as a symbol of Algeria’s architectural ambition and religious heritage. - Mohammed VI Tower
Country: Morocco
Height: 250 meters tall (55 floors)
Location and use: Located in Salé, near the Bouregreg River. Completed in 2023, this skyscraper is the tallest building in North Africa and the second tallest in Africa. It features a mix of residential, office, and hotel spaces and is designed to meet international green building standards, including LEED Gold and HQE certifications. - The Leonardo
Country: South Africa
Height: 234 meters tall( 55 floors)
Location and use: mixed-use development in Sandton, Johannesburg. The Leonardo, a 234-meter, 55-story mixed-use skyscraper in Sandton, Johannesburg, is a flagship development by Legacy Group. It blends luxury living, office spaces, hospitality, and retail, solidifying its status as a landmark in Africa’s wealthiest district. This iconic building boasts eight exclusive duplex penthouses and the lavish three-level “Leonardo Suite,” Africa’s priciest apartment. It also features a 240-room all-suite hotel with top-tier amenities. The ground floor offers 8,000 square meters of premium retail space, housing a flagship Woolworths store and an array of upscale retailers and dining options.
- Carlton Centre
Country: South Africa
Height: 223 meters tall (50 floors)
Location and use: office and shopping complex in Johannesburg. Completed in 1973.The Carlton Centre in Johannesburg is a multifaceted skyscraper serving as a commercial, retail, and cultural hub. Standing at 223 meters with 50 floors, the Carlton Centre houses Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned freight transport company, which has used it as its headquarters since acquiring the building in 1999. Also, the Carlton Shopping Centre, located within the complex, features over 180 stores, including major South African retailers such as Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Edgars, Mr Price, and Clicks. A variety of eateries are present, including McDonald’s, Nando’s, KFC, Wimpy, and Spur, catering to diverse culinary preferences. - Hassan II Mosque (Minaret)
Country: Morocco
Height: 210 meters tall
Location and use: Located in Casablanca. Completed in 1993, The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco, is primarily used as a place of Islamic worship. It is one of the largest mosques in the world and can accommodate up to 105,000 worshippers—25,000 inside and 80,000 in the courtyard. It houses a Quranic school (madrasa), library, and museum, making it a center for Islamic culture and learning.
- Commercial Bank of Ethiopia HQ
Country: Ethiopia
Height: 209.3 meters tall (46 floors)
Location and use: Located in Addis Ababa. Completed in 2021, this skyscraper is the tallest building in Ethiopia and East Africa. It serves as the headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and symbolizes the country’s growing financial and economic ambitions. - Alamein Downtown Iconic Tower
Country: Egypt
Height: Between 207.8 meters (56 floors)
Location: The Alamein Downtown Iconic Tower, located in the heart of New Alamein City, Egypt, is a prominent addition to the city’s downtown development. Recently completed in 2025, the development consists of four iconic towers — Tower 1, Tower 2, Tower 3, and Tower 4 — making it a significant architectural landmark in the region. - Britam Tower
Country: Kenya
Height: 200.1 meters tall(31 floors)
Location: office complex in Upper Hill, Nairobi. It was completed in 2017. Britam Tower, located in Nairobi’s Upper Hill district, is Kenya’s tallest building at 200.1 meters. Completed in 2017, this 31-floor skyscraper serves as the regional and international headquarters for Britam Holdings PLC, a diversified financial services group. The tower not only houses Britam’s operations but also accommodates other tenants, including UK-based office leasing firm Regus, which occupies the 33rd floor to provide flexible workspace solutions. With 350,000 square feet of lettable space, Britam Tower also features a 12-story parking garage capable of holding 1,000 vehicles, solidifying its status as a key commercial hub in East Africa. - CBE Headquarters
Country: Ethiopia
Height: 198 meters tall(46 floors)
Location: Commercial Bank of Ethiopia headquarters in Addis Ababa. The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Headquarters in Addis Ababa is used primarily as the central office for the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the country’s largest and state-owned financial institution, serving as the administrative and operational hub for the bank, including executive offices, banking services, conference facilities, and data centers
