Here are the capitals of the eighteen countries of East Africa. Several sit high in the cool highlands, and two countries have moved their capitals inland.
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Eritrea | Asmara |
| Djibouti | Djibouti |
| Ethiopia | Addis Ababa |
| Somalia | Mogadishu |
| South Sudan | Juba |
| Kenya | Nairobi |
| Uganda | Kampala |
| Rwanda | Kigali |
| Burundi | Gitega (see the note) |
| Tanzania | Dodoma (see the note) |
| Malawi | Lilongwe |
| Zambia | Lusaka |
| Zimbabwe | Harare |
| Mozambique | Maputo |
| Madagascar | Antananarivo |
| Comoros | Moroni |
| Mauritius | Port Louis |
| Seychelles | Victoria |
Key idea
Learn these first: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Dodoma (Tanzania), Mogadishu (Somalia), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe), Maputo (Mozambique) and Antananarivo (Madagascar).
Why it works
Highland capitals such as Addis Ababa and Nairobi are high above sea level, so they are much cooler than the hot coasts at the same latitude. Two countries chose new capitals near their centers: Tanzania made Dodoma its official capital, though Dar es Salaam on the coast is the biggest city and still holds many offices; Burundi made Gitega its political capital in 2019, while Bujumbura remains its economic capital.
Worked example: Tanzania's capital
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's largest city. What is the official capital?
- Tanzania chose Dodoma, near the center of the country.
- Dar es Salaam, on the coast, still holds many government offices.
Answer: Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is also accepted when you type).
Worked example: Ethiopia's capital
What is the capital of Ethiopia?
- Addis Ababa, high on the Ethiopian Highlands.
Answer: Addis Ababa.
Common mistake
People say Dar es Salaam for Tanzania because it is the biggest city. The official capital is Dodoma. A similar trap: Mombasa is a famous port in Kenya, but the capital is Nairobi.