Quilamba covers an area of 30.5 km2 and will eventually offer homes for more than 200,000 inhabitants. It comprises about 750 apartment blocks ranging from 5 to 13 floors, over 100 commercial premises, 17 schools and 24 daycare centers to provide care and education for children, as well as over 240 stores to drive the local economy. The cost is reported at US$3.5 billion, financed by a Chinesecredit line and repaid by the Angolan government with oil.
History
After the conclusion of Angola's civil war in 2002, the government began developing housing projects and satellite towns to meet the housing demands of a population which had largely lived in informal settlements.[1]: 125
Quilamba contributed to meeting the election pledge made by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos in 2008 to build a million new homes in four years. Development of Quilamba began in 2008.[1]: 125 As part of an exchange of Chinese construction materials and expertise for Angolan natural resources, CITIC Group Corporation Ltd. (a Chinese state-owned enterprise) led the development of Quilamba.[1]: 125
The government planned to use some of the residential blocks as social housing. As of July 2012[update], the buildings were largely complete but still unoccupied.[2] Despite a slow start, legislation signed into law by dos Santos resulted in a massive boom in demand.[3][4]
Prices of the smallest units were reduced from US$125,000 to $70,000.
The population increased to 40,000 residents in September 2013,[5]
to 80,000 in July 2015.[6] In 2019, the estimated population was 129,000 inhabitants.[7] As of at least 2024, Quilamba has become a destination for aspiring middle class Angolans.[1]: 126
