Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has formally approved the relocation of the country’s capital city from Malabo, located on Bioko Island, to the mainland city of Ciudad de la Paz in Djibloho Province.
The decision was confirmed by the Information and Press Office of Equatorial Guinea, which said President Obiang signed the decree on Friday, January 2, 2026, during an official ceremony attended by senior government officials.
Why the Capital Is Being Moved
Ciudad de la Paz — which translates to “City of Peace” — has long been planned as a future administrative center. Authorities say the move is aimed at improving accessibility, national integration, and security, challenges that have persisted due to Malabo’s island location.
From a security perspective, the government described the relocation as a necessary step.
“The relocation of the nation’s capital, from a security standpoint, is a crucial step, given that the government has been the victim of several attacks originating from abroad via maritime routes,” the Information and Press Office said in a statement.
Officials also noted that situating the capital on the mainland will make it easier to coordinate governance, transportation, and logistics across the country.
Breaking from Colonial-Era Structures
Beyond security concerns, the government said the move reflects a broader effort to modernize the state and move away from inherited colonial-era systems that no longer serve the country’s long-term development goals.
Ciudad de la Paz was purpose-built as a planned capital, with modern infrastructure intended to support government institutions, housing, and diplomatic missions.
Transition Timeline
According to local media reports, the relocation process will take approximately one year, during which all administrative services and key government institutions will be transferred from Malabo to Ciudad de la Paz.
Malabo is expected to remain an important economic and commercial center, even as the seat of government shifts inland.
A Historic Shift
The move marks one of the most significant political and administrative changes in Equatorial Guinea’s post-independence history. When completed, Ciudad de la Paz will officially become the country’s political heart, symbolizing both national unity and a new chapter in governance.
Further details on the phased relocation and the future status of Malabo are expected to be announced in the coming months.
