Angola - Observations and Experiences

Gas Prices

It is possible to find a gas station every few kilometres in Luanda. However, the experience at a gas pump is far different from what I am used to in Toronto. Usually it is quick and smooth to insert a credit card, fill up gas, take a receipt and drive off. Considering Angola is the second-largest producer of petroleum in sub-Saharan Africa, it was phenomenal to see the lineups for gasoline at the pumps. But there is a reason for these lineups. Most of the petroleum produced in Angola is exported, so whatever is kept in the country is always at a premium. A gas station experience in Luanda is quite different. It can take up to three hours waiting in line (usually stretching onto the road for quite some distance).

The price per litre of gasoline is 40 Kwanzas. With an exchange rate of CAD$1 for 60 Kwanzas, that works out to about CAD$0.67 per litre (or USD$2.02 per gallon).


Fast-food Chains

There are two main fast-food chains: WIMPY's and Bob's Burgers. Similar to a McDonald's menu, Bob's Burgers serves everything from triple hamburgers to soft ice cream to nuggets and french fries. No matter where you enter, you are suddenly staring at smoke from the grills because ventilation is nowhere near requirements in North America. Prices are significantly higher than North America. Imagine paying about CAD$13-15 for a hamburger combo or CAD$6-7 for an ice cream sundae! But I'd say the one thing I appreciated about the fast-food chains in Luanda was the fact that all the nutritional information was on every food container (for french fries or a hamburger) instead of the underside of the paper sheet on trays in North America.


Belas Shopping Centre

There is one mall here that makes you feel like you are in North America or South Africa. Although it is only one ground level, and quite overpriced, it is a very warm and spacious building. There are shops, a food court, and a movie theatre with up-to-date movies. And when I watched a movie at the theatre, I wouldn't have been able to guess I was in West Africa!