Most African cities have low NO2 levels relative to the US, Western Europe and East Asia. Over the last decade, there was a mix of changes in NO2 levels over the continent. The largest increase (75%) occurred over Luanda, Angola’s only major city, which has a metropolitan population of ~6.5 million. The city’s increase in NO2 levels is consistent with the country’s strong population growth (~38% from 2005 to 2016) and economic development (i.e., 116% increase in GDP (constant 2005 US$) from 2005 to 2016), following the end of decades of civil war in 2002. Cities with decreases were Tripoli (Libya), which may be associated with the impact of civil war on the country's economy, and all major cities in South Africa likely because of environmental regulations on NOx emissions from automobiles. Both areas of increases and decreases occur near Johannesburg (South Africa), which are likely associated with changes in power plant emissions.