Angola's brutal 27-year civil war claimed over 500,000 civilian lives before ending in 2002. Now, guns and tanks from the war are being scrapped to kickstart a steel industry.
Angola's brutal 27-year civil war claimed over 500,000 civilian lives before ending in 2002. Now, guns and tanks from the war are being scrapped to kickstart a steel industry.
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Inside the $300 million Aceria de Angola steel mill, north of the capital city Luanda. Angola's first steel mill will draw heavily on recycled war scrap.
Inside the $300 million Aceria de Angola steel mill, north of the capital city Luanda. Angola's first steel mill will draw heavily on recycled war scrap.
ADA
The facility is the largest steel mill in West and Central Africa, aiming to produce 500,000 tons a year, enough for domestic needs and to export.
The facility is the largest steel mill in West and Central Africa, aiming to produce 500,000 tons a year, enough for domestic needs and to export.
ada
K2L Capital Chairman Georges Choucair launches the mill in December. The French businessman has worked in Angola since 1992, and this is his largest venture yet.
K2L Capital Chairman Georges Choucair launches the mill in December. The French businessman has worked in Angola since 1992, and this is his largest venture yet.
ADA
Choucair greeting Economic Minister Abraão Gourgel and First Lady Ana Paula dos Santos at the facility. The project enjoys government support, in the hope it can reduce Angola's reliance on costly imports.
Choucair greeting Economic Minister Abraão Gourgel and First Lady Ana Paula dos Santos at the facility. The project enjoys government support, in the hope it can reduce Angola's reliance on costly imports.
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War scrap at the ADA factory. Thousands of people are employed collecting such material across the country.
War scrap at the ADA factory. Thousands of people are employed collecting such material across the country.
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Angola enjoyed a postwar boom fueled by oil exports, but oil prices have slumped, leaving the economy in desperate need of new revenue streams, which Choucair hopes to create.
Angola enjoyed a postwar boom fueled by oil exports, but oil prices have slumped, leaving the economy in desperate need of new revenue streams, which Choucair hopes to create.
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The government has slashed public spending in response to the oil crisis, leaving garbage uncollected in the streets of Luanda, which is contributing to a public health crisis.
The government has slashed public spending in response to the oil crisis, leaving garbage uncollected in the streets of Luanda, which is contributing to a public health crisis.
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Georges Choucair claims his steel project can help relieve the oil crisis, and tackle social problems such as unemployment and poverty. But skeptics believe the country needs more fundamental change.
Georges Choucair claims his steel project can help relieve the oil crisis, and tackle social problems such as unemployment and poverty. But skeptics believe the country needs more fundamental change.
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