Equatorial Guinea Shifts Capital to Ciudad de la Paz
Equatorial Guinea has embarked on a significant national transformation by officially transferring its capital from Malabo to Ciudad de la Paz, a newly established city on the mainland. This move, years in the making, seeks to foster more equitable development across the nation and alleviate the burgeoning pressures on its traditional urban centers.
Equatorial Guinea's Strategic Capital Relocation
On January 2, 2026, Equatorial Guinea officially inaugurated Ciudad de la Paz, also known as Djibloho or Oyala, as its new national capital, concluding a meticulously planned relocation process that began in 2008. The presidential decree, issued by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, formalized this monumental shift from Malabo, the long-standing capital located on Bioko Island since the nation's independence in 1968. This strategic decision was primarily driven by the need to decentralize governmental functions and stimulate harmonious socio-economic growth across all regions of the country, moving away from the concentrated development that characterized Malabo and Bata. The previous capital, Malabo, will retain its economic significance despite the administrative transfer. The new capital's comprehensive master plan, crafted by the Portuguese firm IDF – Ideias do Futuro, envisions a modern city designed for 160,000 to 200,000 inhabitants within an 81.5 square kilometer area. It thoughtfully combines the area's natural riverine landscape with an efficient orthogonal road network, featuring distinct zones for government, residential, cultural, and service sectors. A prominent civic core, housing key institutional buildings and public spaces, underscores Ciudad de la Paz's role as the nation's political and administrative heart. The government has mandated that all presidential services, state powers, constitutional bodies, and public enterprises complete their relocation to the new capital within one year, signaling a full commitment to this ambitious project.
This relocation represents a bold vision for national development, aiming to address urban imbalances and strengthen national cohesion by distributing infrastructure and opportunities more broadly. By establishing Ciudad de la Paz, Equatorial Guinea is not only building a new capital but also laying the groundwork for a more decentralized and sustainably developed future for its populace, marking a significant chapter in its architectural and urban planning history.