5 African Skyscrapers That Look Like They Belong in the Future

What comes to mind when you hear “Africa”? Savannas, beaches, busy markets and historic cities?

Now we look up.

Because across the continent, modern skylines are reaching higher than many people realise, because some of these buildings are so tall that standing beneath them can make you forget you are in Africa at all.

From a futuristic tower in Egypt to a giant inspired by an African mask, here are five towering landmarks you may not know about.

1. La Tour F — Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Imagine standing in the middle of Abidjan and tilting your head back until the top of a 421-metretower almost disappears into the sky.

That is La Tour F, rising from the Plateau district. Its 75-storey design is inspired by an Africanmask, giving the skyscraper a distinctly African identity rather than simply copying the look of towers elsewhere.

The idea for La Tour F dates back to 1970, but actual construction began in 2021. After years of planning and construction, the tower reached its full 421-metre structural height in 2026, with finishing work still underway.

But the tower has reached its full structural height, although finishing work is still underway. Once completed, it is intended to become Africa’s tallest tower.

2. Iconic Tower — Egypt

Now imagine going from Abidjan to Egypt, where another giant dominates the skyline of the New Administrative Capital.

The Iconic Tower rises 393.8 metres across 77 floors, making it the tallest completed skyscraper in Africa. It is almost four football pitches standing end-to-end in height—and that is before you even get inside.

It was completed in 2024, the tower is part of Egypt's huge new capital development and has become one of the country's most recognisable modern landmarks.

3. Alamein Iconic Tower — Egypt

Still in Egypt, but this time beside the Mediterranean, another giant rises from New Alamein.

The Alamein Iconic Tower reaches about 291.8 metres and has 67 floors, but here is the interesting part: it is not just another office skyscraper.

It is currently recognised as Africa’s tallest residential building, making it one of the most noticeable landmarks on Egypt’s rapidly developing North Coast.

Unlike towers built mainly for offices, this skyscraper is designed to combine luxury living with the dramatic views that come with its height. From dozens of floors above the ground, residents can look across the growing city and toward the Mediterranean coastline.

The tower is also part of the wider development of New Alamein, a planned coastal city that is transforming the area with high-rise buildings, hotels, residential developments and other modern infrastructure.

So imagine waking up dozens of floors above the ground, opening your curtains and seeing the Mediterranean stretching into the distance. That is a very different kind of African city view—and a sign of how quickly some of Africa’s coastal cities are reaching for the sky.

4. Great Mosque of Algiers Tower — Algeria

Now picture a skyscraper—but instead of offices or apartments, imagine a minaret rising 264.3 metres into the sky.

That is the tower of the Great Mosque of Algiers.

With 36 floors, it became the tallest building in Africa when it was completed in 2019, before Egypt's Iconic Tower took the title in 2024. It is also recognised as the world's tallest minaret.

So this isn't simply a tall building. It combines architecture, religion and engineering in one enormous landmark.

5. Mohammed VI Tower — Morocco

Our final stop takes us to Salé, Morocco, where the Mohammed VI Tower rises 250 metres across 55 floors.

Its unusual shape makes it stand out along the Bouregreg River, while its mixed-use design brings offices, a hotel and residential spaces together in one vertical landmark.

Completed and opened in 2026, it is now Morocco's tallest building and one of Africa's tallest completed skyscrapers.

With These Buildings, Africa Is Finally Looking Up

Five buildings. Five cities. And five very different stories.

One is inspired by an African mask. Another rises from a new capital. One overlooks the Mediterranean, another forms the world's tallest minaret, while another stands along a Moroccan river.

The interesting part isn't simply how tall they are. It's what they represent: African cities are changing, and their skylines are changing with them.

So the next time someone says Africa has no skyscrapers, you might want to tell them:

“Look up.”