Top 20 Africa’s largest malls

At a Glance

Africa’s top malls drive economic growth and modern shopping experiences continent-wide.
These mega malls offer diverse dining, fashion, entertainment, and tourist attractions.
Expansive centers create jobs, attract investment, and boost regional infrastructure development.

Africa’s retail landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, with expansive malls emerging as dynamic centres of commerce, leisure, and social connection. From the gleaming corridors of Morocco Mall in Casablanca to the sprawling Menlyn Park in Pretoria, these destinations are reshaping consumer habits and defining modern lifestyles.

Beyond offering vast arrays of international and local brands, Africa’s largest malls generate significant economic benefits, creating thousands of jobs, attracting foreign investment, and driving infrastructure development in rapidly growing urban areas. They have become economic engines that stimulate surrounding communities and boost tourism.

These malls also celebrate diversity by blending shopping with vibrant entertainment—from indoor ski slopes and cinemas to gourmet dining and live performances. Whether visitors are in search of luxury fashion, family attractions, or cultural experiences, these retail giants cater to every taste and budget.

Many have evolved into tourist landmarks, drawing travelers eager to explore their distinctive architecture and unique offerings. Shore Africa profiles the top 20 largest malls across the continent, showcasing how they have become powerful symbols of Africa’s economic dynamism and cosmopolitan spirit.

1. Morocco Mall
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Status (GLA): 190,000 m²
Ownership: Aksal Group, owned and founded by Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch
Morocco Mall is the largest shopping centre in Africa by total area. Opened in 2011 along Casablanca’s oceanfront, it houses more than 350 shops, an aquarium, an IMAX theatre, and a luxury district hosting prestigious international brands.

2. Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Location: uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Status (GLA): 176,400 m²
Ownership: Old Mutual Property
Gateway Theatre of Shopping is a landmark retail and entertainment complex in uMhlanga, Durban’s thriving northern corridor. Opened in 2001, the mall houses more than 380 stores, multiple cinemas, an arcade, an indoor theme park, and the iconic Wave House. It remains one of the largest shopping destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.

3. Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Status (GLA): 177,000 m²
Ownership: Pareto Limited
Menlyn Park Shopping Centre is a premier super-regional mall serving Pretoria and surrounds. Built in 1979 and fully redeveloped between 2014 and 2017, it boasts over 500 stores, a rooftop drive-in cinema, a large food and entertainment hub, and green design credentials, including a 4-star Green Star rating.

4. Fourways Mall
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Status (GLA): 178,000 m²
Ownership: Azrapart, Accelerate Property Fund
Fourways Mall is South Africa’s largest shopping centre by gross lettable area. Originally built in 1994 and extensively redeveloped and expanded in 2019, the mall anchors a major mixed-use node in northern Johannesburg. It features over 450 stores, premium fashion brands, an expansive entertainment zone, and direct links to the Fourways superblock precinct.

5. Mall of Arabia
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Status (GLA): ~167,000 m²
Ownership: Fawaz Alhokair Group
Mall of Arabia, located in 6th of October City, is Egypt’s biggest retail destination. Launched in 2010, the mall combines fashion, entertainment, and dining across a sprawling footprint anchored by major hypermarkets and flagship stores.

6. Cairo Festival City Mall
Location: New Cairo, Egypt
Status (GLA): ~160,000 m²
Ownership: Al-Futtaim Group
Cairo Festival City Mall is a mixed-use shopping and lifestyle hub opened in 2013. It houses hundreds of retailers, a multi-screen cinema, and an outdoor festival area hosting concerts and events.

7. Mall of Egypt
Location: 6th of October City, Egypt
Status (GLA): ~165,000 m²
Ownership: Majid Al Futtaim
Mall of Egypt is a premium shopping and leisure destination renowned for Ski Egypt, Africa’s first indoor ski slope. Opened in 2017, the mall features over 350 stores and extensive dining options.

8. Sandton City
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Status (GLA): 128,000 m²
Ownership: Liberty Group, Pareto Limited
Sandton City is a luxury retail icon situated in the heart of Johannesburg’s Sandton CBD. Established in 1973 and continuously expanded, the mall is renowned for its high-end fashion boutiques, international brands, and direct links to the Sandton Convention Centre and office towers, including the landmark Leonardo skyscraper.

9. Mall of Africa
Location: Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa
Status (GLA): 131,000 m²
Ownership: Attacq Limited
Mall of Africa is the largest single-phase mall ever built in Africa. Opened in 2016, it anchors the Waterfall City precinct between Johannesburg and Pretoria. The mall features flagship stores from leading international brands, premium dining, and a modern design inspired by Africa’s geological formations.

10. Canal Walk Shopping Centre
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Status (GLA): 156,864 m²
Ownership: 80 percent owned by Hyprop Investments
Canal Walk is a dominant super-regional shopping centre and a landmark retail destination in Cape Town. Located within Century City—a 250-hectare mixed-use development along the N1 freeway—the mall opened in 2000 and has become one of Africa’s largest and most visited retail complexes. It combines over 400 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues under an expansive glass-covered atrium, attracting shoppers from across the Western Cape and beyond

11. Two Rivers Mall
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Status (GLA): ~67,000 m² East Africa’s largest mall
Ownership: Centum Investments
Two Rivers Mall is East Africa’s largest shopping centre. Launched in 2017, it includes flagship retail, an amusement park, and extensive outdoor spaces along Nairobi’s Northern Bypass.

12. Novare Lekki Mall
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Status (GLA): ~22,000 m²
Ownership: Novare Real Estate Africa
Novare Lekki Mall is Nigeria’s largest shopping mall. Opened in 2016, it serves Lagos’s growing middle-class with supermarkets, fashion stores, and eateries.

13. West Hills Mall
Location: Accra, Ghana
Status (GLA): ~27,000 m²
Ownership: Delico Property Developments
West Hills Mall is Ghana’s largest retail complex, opened in 2014. It offers a mix of international and local brands, a cinema, and family entertainment.

14. Tinapa Shopping Resort
Location: Calabar, Nigeria
Status (GLA): ~80,000 m²
Ownership: Cross River State Government
Tinapa Shopping Resort combines retail and leisure facilities with a free trade zone, featuring duty-free shopping and a conference centre.

15. Le Caudan Waterfront
Location: Port Louis, Mauritius
Status (GLA): ~45,000 m²
Ownership: Promotion and Development Ltd
Le Caudan Waterfront blends shopping, dining, and cultural attractions along the historic harbour in Port Louis, attracting tourists and locals alike.

16. Cresta Shopping Centre
Location: Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Status (GLA): 104,000 m²
Ownership: Pareto Limited
Cresta Shopping Centre is a well-established retail complex serving northwestern Johannesburg. Originally launched in 1977, it has evolved into a contemporary super-regional mall with over 250 shops, a vibrant entertainment area, and extensive dining options.

17. Eastgate Shopping Centre
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Status (GLA): 142,800 m²
Ownership: Liberty Two Degrees
Eastgate Shopping Centre is a major retail hub in Johannesburg’s eastern suburbs. Opened in 1979, the centre has undergone multiple expansions to remain one of Gauteng’s premier shopping destinations, featuring over 300 stores, an updated cinema complex, and modern family-friendly facilities.

18. Pavilion Shopping Centre
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Status (GLA): 122,800 m²
Ownership: Pareto Limited
The Pavilion, situated in Westville, Durban, is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most popular shopping malls. Opened in 1993, it offers a wide range of retail, dining, and entertainment experiences, including a large cinema complex and dedicated family areas.

19. Dembel City Center
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Status (GLA): ~40,000 m²
Ownership: Private Ethiopian Investors
Dembel City Center is among Ethiopia’s first western-style malls, offering retail, offices, and leisure facilities in the heart of Addis Ababa.

20. Game City Mall
Location: Gaborone, Botswana
Status (GLA): ~50,000 m²
Ownership: Turnstar Holdings
Game City Mall, opened in 2004, is Botswana’s largest retail centre, featuring over 120 stores and a cinema complex.