Equatorial Guinea has officially changed its capital from Malabo to Ciudad de La Paz, according to a presidential decree.
The country’s president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, cited strategic reasons for the move, which has been under consideration for nearly two decades.
Malabo, located on Bioko Island, has experienced significant urban growth, prompting the shift to the mainland in the heart of the Equatorial forest.
The decree mandates that presidential offices, government agencies, and public enterprises relocate from Malabo within a year. It does not mention whether foreign embassies will also move.
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Equatorial Guinea’s current president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has ruled the country since 1979, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
Malabo, the former capital, sits on Bioko Island off the country’s northwest coast and has long served as the administrative and political hub.
However, its location on an island has posed logistical challenges for governing the mainland, which makes up the bulk of the country’s territory.
Plans to relocate the capital have been discussed for almost 20 years, aimed at promoting national integration, easing administrative access, and stimulating economic development in the mainland region.
Moving the capital to Ciudad de La Paz, in the interior of the mainland, is intended to improve government reach and encourage urban development in areas previously underdeveloped.
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The relocation mirrors similar moves in other African countries, such as Nigeria’s transfer of its capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, which sought to balance population distribution, reduce congestion, and strategically position the administrative center.
Experts say the success of such moves depends on infrastructure development, housing, and the willingness of government employees and foreign missions to relocate.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
