Oyala, The new planned capital city

Oyala was once a small village which still exists, but has been expanded into the designated new capital of the country as instructed by the president. Clearly significant amounts of oil revenue wealth has been channelled into building many of the new constructions. That is until lower worldwide oil prices caused the income revenue to dry up construction come to a halt. Many of the buildings are only partially constructed. And those that are complete are mostly vacant.

Dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled EG since 1979, so about 40 years, although he prefers to be referred to as President. EG has the 4th largest oil reserves in Africa (behind Nigeria, Angola, DRC) but one of the smallest populations. Based on GDP per capital, EG is the wealthiest country in Africa. The country’s annual GDP per capital is US$24k, more than any other country in Africa, and similar to Russia. But that wealth benefits a small elite among the country's 1.2 million inhabitants. More than two-thirds of Equatoguineans live below the poverty line, and 55 percent of the population aged over 15 are unemployed.