Which African capital was founded by Paulo Dias de Novais in 1576? Luanda. Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator Paulo Dias de Novais founded Luanda on 25 January 1576 as São Paulo da Assumpção de Loanda. It became the Portuguese foothold that grew into Angola’s capital and largest city.
Dias de Novais first established a settlement on Luanda Island before moving to the mainland. The mainland site offered a sheltered natural harbor, access to fresh water, and defensible high ground. The early settlement developed in upper and lower sections, with administrative and religious buildings on the heights and commercial activity closer to the waterfront.
Luanda’s port made it central to Portuguese rule in Angola and to the transatlantic slave trade, particularly links with Brazil. Fortifications such as São Miguel and São Pedro da Barra later reinforced its strategic importance. Dutch forces briefly controlled Luanda from 1640 to 1648 before Portuguese forces retook it.
A common error is to confuse the founder with Angola’s later independence leaders. The city’s colonial name changed in usage over time, but the modern capital is Luanda, located on Angola’s northern Atlantic coast.