The discovery and exploitation of manganese in the nearby Bangombe Plateau from 1953 led to the emergence of the city.

The first area is built on the main plateau and its slopes and includes the commercial centre and populous districts Ankoula, Montagne Sainte and Fumier.

[6] The Compagnie minière de l'Ogooué (Comilog) had initial capital of CFA 150 million.

The operating company, COMILOG, exports an average 3.5 million tons of manganese a year.

French international schools include: The main stadium is Stade Henri Sylvoz, the home of AS Mangasport.

Moanda is also home to an airfield, and lies about 50 km to Mvengue Airport, none of which, as of 2016, had any commercial airline service.