Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

GALLERY: Massive Chinese-built ghost town in the middle of Angola

The $3 billion development covers 12,355 acres and was built to house 500,000 people.

STATE-OWNED CHINA International Trust and Investment Corporation has built a town in Angola… and it’s fairly empty.

Just outside Angola’s capital city of Luanda is Nova Cidade de Kilamba, a residential development of 750 eight-storey apartment buildings, a dozen schools and more than 100 retail units.

The $3.5 billion development covers 12,355 acres and was built to house about 500,000 people . The BBC reports that it is one of several satellite cities being constructed by Chinese firms around the country.

Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos has touted the ‘Kilamba social housing project’ as an example of his social housing policy, and he has brought international policymakers including Chinese vice-president Xi Jingping to the site.

But the apartments in the complex cost somewhere between $120,000 and $200,000 according to online advertisements cited by the BBC.

None of which helps the average Angolan given the country’s per capita GDP of $5,144 per year, according to the World Bank.

And let’s not forget, Angola serves as China’s largest source of oil in Africa. Some like energy expert @pcdunham speculate this could be in preparation for oil money that is expected once the country begins developing new oil discoveries.

Images via Facebook and Google Maps


Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 39 comments
Close
39 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 10:39 AM

    Keep going Sean, best of luck with the rest of your recovery.

    753
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybee
    Favourite Honeybee
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 10:41 AM

    It’s wonderful that Sean will be going to the match but so very sad that his life is so changed now, I hope he really enjoys this match , heartbreaking for his family.

    429
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flaming Mo
    Favourite Flaming Mo
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 10:44 AM

    It’s terrible that he has to go to the UK to continue his treatment. Hopefully there will be a packed house for the charity match which will help to raise as much as possible for his recovery in the years to come.
    Get well soon Sean.

    281
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aisling
    Favourite Aisling
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 11:25 AM

    @Flaming Mo: there must be some sort of quota on the amount of time you can spend in the rehab in Dun Laoghaire? So ridiculous. The service should be there as long as you need it

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 11:45 AM

    @Aisling: take a look at the magnificent work that’s done in Dun Laoghaire rehab first instead of speculating.

    100
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybee
    Favourite Honeybee
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 12:00 PM

    @Ciaran: I think Ciaran that you misunderstand Aisling’s comment,nothing is implied about the quality of care but obviously the demand for their services is under pressure.If Sean requires further care and must go to England then we must not be providing a like service here and this is the point she was making. A similar case was made some time ago by the family of a young man with an acquired brain injury from a cycling accident

    https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/health/dad-reveals-disdain-irish-health-11781976

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 1:36 PM

    @Honeybee:

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Murphy
    Favourite Paul Murphy
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 11:18 AM

    I think the Italian football authorities need to pick up the tab for all his future medical care as a gesture against football related violence

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O Riordan
    Favourite Paul O Riordan
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 11:06 AM

    Never has our anthem been more apt.
    Ynwa Sean get well soon

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sams theman
    Favourite sams theman
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 12:29 PM

    @Roy Dowling: this isn’t the place for that Roy

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin O Sullivan
    Favourite Kevin O Sullivan
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 12:46 PM

    @Roy Dowling: not really the time or place Roy.

    51
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Higgins
    Favourite Jason Higgins
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 1:43 PM

    @Roy Dowling: Get a life you fool

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Nash
    Favourite Robert Nash
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 4:10 PM

    @Roy Dowling: dope

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy Motley
    Favourite Willy Motley
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 4:41 PM

    @Roy Dowling: there’s always one clown

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Shoulderhead
    Favourite Anthony Shoulderhead
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 5:13 PM

    @Willy Motley: He’s right though

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sams theman
    Favourite sams theman
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 6:48 PM

    @Anthony Shoulderhead: right or wrong petty football rivalry has no place on this thread Anthony

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Shoulderhead
    Favourite Anthony Shoulderhead
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 6:57 PM

    @sams theman: Yeah I know, but he is right

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian
    Favourite Brian
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 7:35 PM

    @Anthony Shoulderhead: I have no words for you.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Nomates
    Favourite Billy Nomates
    Report
    Apr 8th 2019, 12:53 AM

    @Paul O Riordan: unless you are Karius

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Weston
    Favourite David Weston
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 11:36 AM

    Best of luck Séan , a nation rooting for you

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Mel Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 11:54 AM

    The very best of all things good and positive to Sean and his family.

    I really hope he enjoys his day out and the England rehab works wonders.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sportmad
    Favourite Sportmad
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 12:13 PM

    Well done Sean and in fairness to all the teams and supporters today what a gesture and worth while cause YNWA

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Waters
    Favourite John Waters
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 8:04 PM

    Great news and good health in the future. A brave man.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don
    Favourite Don
    Report
    Apr 7th 2019, 5:03 PM

    YNWA

    12
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds