Angola Sets Ambitious Course for Fuel Independence with Multi-Refinery Strategy
President João Lourenço has reaffirmed Angola’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products through the completion of multiple refinery projects, despite acknowledging challenges with the Soyo refinery development. Speaking at the inauguration of the Cabinda Refinery, the President emphasized that the newly operational facility, with its 60,000 barrels per day capacity, forms part of a comprehensive strategy that includes the Soyo refinery in Zaire province and the planned Lobito refinery in Benguela province.
The Cabinda Refinery, a partnership between Gemcorp Angola (90%) and state-owned Sonangol (10%), required a total investment of $473 million and has already created 3,300 direct jobs. Located in Malembo, approximately 30 kilometers from Cabinda city, the facility will produce diesel, jet fuel, fuel oil, and naphtha while creating potential export opportunities to neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Angola’s downstream expansion strategy also includes significant storage capacity improvements, with plans to boost national fuel storage to 1.3 million cubic meters by 2027 through expansions at Lobito and Namibe facilities. The upcoming Soyo refinery is projected to add 100,000 barrels per day by 2029, while the planned Lobito refinery is expected to contribute 200,000 barrels per day from 2028.
Source: angolanminingoilandgas.com, energycapitalpower.com
