Angola’s $6 Billion Leap Towards Energy Self-Reliance

Angola’s government has signed a deal with CNCEC, a Chinese company, to build a new refinery. This refinery, known as the Lobito Refinery, will be in Benguela province.

The project will cost $6 billion. Sonangol, Angola’s state-owned oil firm, also joined this effort. It signed three contracts.

The first is for building the refinery with CNCEC. The second is for overseeing construction with an American company called KBR.

The third is for technical support with an Angolan company named DAR. Initially, the cost was supposed to be $12 billion. But the budget was cut in half to $6 billion.

Now, the plan is to finish building the refinery in 40 months. Preparatory work for this project took place from 2012 to 2016.

After that, there was more planning between 2018 and 2021. The construction is set to start this year.

Diamantino Azevedo, who is Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, spoke about the project.

He said it will process 200,000 barrels of oil per day. He also stated that the project is important for Angola and nearby countries.

2000,000 Barrels per Day

Despite the world’s economic issues, Angola is committed to this project. This is because it will help the country’s economy and make it more diverse.

The minister also said they have found ways to reduce costs significantly. This new budget is now confirmed at $6 billion.

Talks are happening with Zambia about possibly joining the project. Other nearby countries are also thinking of becoming part of this effort.

During the signing event, the minister gave Sonangol an important job. He asked the company to study how to use byproducts from the refinery.

These byproducts could be used to make chemicals. These chemicals are found in many products we use every day. So, this could be a new industry for Angola.

Finally, the minister revealed another project. Sonangol and another Angolan company are planning to build a factory.

This factory will be in Soyo, a place in Zaire province. It will make ammonia and urea from gas. These are key ingredients for making fertilizers.

Background Angola’s $6 Billion Leap Towards Energy Self-Reliance

Angola is one of Africa’s major oil producers. Oil is a crucial part of the country’s economy. For years, Angola has been exporting crude oil without refining it locally.

This means it has to import refined products like gasoline. The new refinery aims to change this by boosting local processing capacity.

Such a move aligns with Angola’s broader goal to diversify its economy. This diversification is vital for reducing dependence on oil exports.

Building the Lobito Refinery is a big step towards self-reliance and economic stability.

More: Angola news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

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