Malabo: The Volcanic City That Recently Lost Its Status as a National Capital

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Perched on the rim of a sunken volcano on Bioko Island, Malabo served as the capital of Equatorial Guinea for decades. However, a 2026 presidential decree officially designated the inland city of Ciudad de la Paz as the new capital, marking a significant shift in the nation's administrative geography.

Malabo is situated on the northern coast of Bioko, the largest island in Equatorial Guinea. Its unique topography is defined by the partially sunken rim of a volcano, which provides the city with a relatively sheltered harbor. The island itself is characterized by dramatic volcanic features, including the extinct Santa Isabel Peak, which rises to 9,869 feet, and the rugged, isolated Gran Caldera range in the south.

The city's history is deeply tied to colonial shifts. Originally established as Port Clarence by the British in 1827 to suppress the slave trade, it was later renamed Santa Isabel in 1855 after Spain reasserted control. In 1973, as part of a campaign to replace European place names with indigenous ones, the city was renamed Malabo in honor of the last Bubi king, Malabo Löpèlo Mëlaka. The Bubi people, the island's indigenous inhabitants, had resisted Spanish sovereignty for decades, with full conquest of the island not achieved until 1912.

The transition of the capital to Ciudad de la Paz began following a presidential decree on January 2, 2026. While Malabo had long functioned as the center of government, the new capital represents a move toward the continental portion of the country, known as Río Muni. The decree mandated that state powers, constitutional bodies, and public enterprises initiate the transfer of their services and effective settlement in the new capital within one year. This administrative relocation marks the end of Malabo's long-standing role as the primary seat of power for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

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