Houston-Luanda
Luanda, Angola, is “twinned” with 20 metropolitan cities worldwide, but it has but one “sister city” in the United States and that is Houston!
Though Luanda and Houston are the largest cities and the busiest ports in their respective territories, Luanda been around more than two centuries longer. It was founded in 1575 by the Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais, making it the oldest African city on the sub-Saharan continent. The capital of Angola and its largest city, Luanda has become a major industrial, cultural and urban center. With a current population estimated to be 8.8 million, according to the National Statistics Institution (INE). Portuguese is the country’s official language.
Luanda, Angola
Like Houston, Luanda is a major port. Like Houston, Luanda’s economy revolves around oil. Both crude oil extracted from the deepwater wells and refined oil products are major exports, so it is no surprise that all the major U.S. oil companies are represented in Angola. Chevron is the largest U.S. producer. ExxonMobil has made large discoveries in its extensive deepwater holdings which are currently being produced. Independents, such as Marathon Oil and Ocean Energy are also players, and U.S. oil service companies such as Haliburton, Global Marine and Western Atlas have established business in Angola as well.
Sonangol, USA, an affiliate of the national oil company of Angola, established an office in Houston in 1998. However, the current aim of the government is to diversify the heavily oil-dependent economy and nurture farming and industry.
Angola became an independent country in 1975. Unfortunately, that event precipitated a civil war that did not end until 2002. Though 7,700 miles apart, it meant that a year later it was possible for Houston and Luanda to became sister cities. Political stability since the end of the war has encouraged strong economic growth, fueled by wealth provided by increased oil and diamond production. Other chief exports include fish and fish products, coffee, cotton, sugar, iron and salt.
A growing number of Angolan students are attending universities in and around Houston, with pre-Covid enrollment approximately 55. It should also be noted that culture hasn’t been forgotten in Luanda’s major push to industrialize. Since 2009, the city has hosted the annual Luanda International Jazz Festival, plus there are also numerous museums throughout the city.
