Much more than a simple factory, this complex represents a fundamental part of Angola’s economic and social memory, especially from the period of major industrial development experienced before independence.

Initially created under the name “Companhia de Celulose do Ultramar Português”, the unit began producing paper pulp in 1961, taking advantage of its proximity to the Catumbela River and the Benguela Railway line, essential factors for the transportation of raw materials and industrial products.
For decades, the company was considered one of the largest industries of its kind in Africa.
The industrial complex completely transformed the Alto Catumbela region, boosting population growth, job creation, and the development of social infrastructure. Many workers lived in a true industrial village organized around the factory, with housing, services, and community support areas.

The factory depended heavily on the vast eucalyptus and pine plantations located within the region’s forest perimeters.
These areas were essential for the production of cellulose used in paper manufacturing, making Ganda an important forestry and industrial center in Angola. According to historical accounts, thousands of workers were directly or indirectly linked to the company over the years.

However, the Angolan civil war had a devastating impact on the company. In 1983, part of the facilities was destroyed, causing a complete halt in production. Later, in August 2004, a major fire destroyed what still remained of the industrial infrastructure, practically ending any immediate possibility of recovering the former factory.

Despite the abandonment and deterioration caused by time, the site continues to attract historical, tourist, and architectural interest. The company’s ruins have become a silent symbol of the region’s former industrial strength and attract visitors interested in industrial heritage, photography, economic history, and Angolan colonial memory.
In addition to its historical value, the site also holds cultural and emotional significance for many families in Ganda, as several generations worked for the company and depended on it for their livelihood. Even today, many former workers and residents keep alive the memory of the time when the company was the region’s main economic engine.

In recent years, different initiatives and governmental intentions have emerged to revitalize the cellulose sector and recover the area’s industrial potential. Feasibility studies and national and foreign investment proposals have been announced to reactivate paper production and once again take advantage of the region’s forest resources.
Today, the Companhia de Celulose e Papel de Angola remains one of the most emblematic testimonies of Angolan industrialization in the 20th century, a place where history, memory, and industrial heritage meet in the heart of Benguela Province.