[Image: Wikipedia]
The ancient juggernaut that’s been flexing on the banks of the Nile for over a millennium isn’t just about towering pyramids and echoes of pharaohs anymore.
In the past few years, Cairo slapped on a fresh title: North Africa’s richest city.
According to Henley & Partners, a jaw-dropping 7,200 millionaires and 30 billionaires call it home. Not bad for a city that once thrived on camel caravans and spice routes, huh?
With over 10 million residents packed into its bustling streets—and a staggering 22.1 million across Greater Cairo—this metropolis isn’t just old, it’s massive. That makes it the 12th-largest urban sprawl on Earth. And why here? Well, the Nile’s been the ultimate real estate agent since ancient times, positioning Cairo as the crossroads of North Africa and the Middle East long before borders were even a thing.
Fast-forward to today, and Egypt is flexing its economic muscle as one of Africa’s “Big 5” wealth markets, rubbing shoulders with South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco. Together, these powerhouses hoard 56% of the continent’s millionaires and over 90% of its billionaires.
The iconic Pyramids of Giza now share the skyline with luxury high-rises and Western-style apartments, all flaunting million-dollar Nile views. And if you’re wondering where Cairo’s elite actually live, look no further than Garden City, Zamalek, Maadi, and Heliopolis.
Garden City, in particular, breaks the Cairo mold—it wasn’t just thrown together over centuries but was meticulously planned by private investors. That is tree-lined avenues, ornate palaces, and an unmistakable European flair, all within strolling distance of the American and British embassies.
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But Cairo isn’t just about deep pockets—it’s a cultural and political heavyweight too. Dubbed “the city of a thousand minarets,” its Islamic architecture is as much a part of its identity as the relentless honking of its traffic.
Its wealthy status has been centuries in the making. During the Mamluk era, Cairo hit its economic peak, thriving as a trade empire. Then came Mohamed Ali Pasha, who threw large-scale cotton production into the mix, catapulting the city’s fortunes even higher. Now, it’s a megacity that’s equal parts ancient mystique and modern ambition, refusing to be outshined by time.
[Source: Express]
