Luanda Was Once the World's Most Expensive City. But Who Got Rich?

Luanda, Angola, was once ranked the world's most expensive city for expatriates, surpassing New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. But behind its luxury skyline lies a much more complicated story. After decades of civil war, Angola's oil boom transformed Luanda into a city of modern towers, ambitious construction projects, and extraordinary investment. Yet the country's vast petroleum wealth did not bring prosperity to everyone. In this cinematic documentary, we explore Luanda's surprising transformation, the billion-dollar Kilamba housing development, the role of Sonangol, and the economic forces that made Angola's capital one of the world's most expensive places for international workers. From Luanda's beautiful Atlantic waterfront to the everyday lives of its residents, discover how oil wealth reshaped a city — and why expensive does not always mean prosperous. Subscribe to Private Escape for cinematic documentaries about extraordinary destinations, hidden histories, and the people who shape our world. #Luanda #Angola #TravelDocumentary