Gaborone fourth cheapest African city for expats

Released on Tuesday, this year's Mercer Cost of Living Survey ranks only Windhoek, Kampala and Addis Ababa as cheaper than Gaborone. The survey, conducted by US firm Mercer, covers 214 cities across five continents, gauging cost of living in US dollar terms across various categories. All cities were compared against New York in the US dollar pricing of costs such as housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. The annual survey helps multinational companies and governments determine allowances for their expatriate employees, a decision linked to the direction of foreign direct investment.

According to the survey, Gaborone was ranked 195th out of the 214 cities rated, emerging cheaper than regional destinations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo. Luanda was ranked the most expensive city for expatriates, not only in Africa but the world for the second year running.