Luanda: Angola is preparing to take a historic step in its energy sector with the anticipated launch of the Cabinda oil refinery by the end of 2025. The refinery, designed to process 30,000 barrels per day, marks the first significant refining facility to be built in the country since independence, signaling a new era for Angola’s domestic fuel production.
Currently, Angola relies heavily on imported fuel to meet domestic demand, with imports accounting for roughly 72% of consumption. The Cabinda refinery is expected to reduce this dependence significantly, providing a homegrown source of gasoline and other petroleum products. The move also complements the government’s broader plan to phase out fuel subsidies that have historically sparked public protests due to rising energy costs.
The project is being developed through a partnership between Gemcorp, a London-based investment firm, and Sonangol, Angola’s state-owned oil company. Gemcorp holds a dominant 90% stake, while Sonangol retains 10% and supplies the crude oil feedstock. With an initial investment estimated between $500 million and $550 million, the refinery is projected to fulfill between 5% and 10% of Angola’s fuel requirements during its first operational phase. Plans are already underway to expand production capacity to 60,000 barrels per day and diversify output to include diesel and jet fuel.
Cabinda is the first step in Angola’s larger strategy to strengthen domestic refining capabilities. The government is simultaneously reviewing plans for a 100,000-barrel-per-day Soyo refinery, facing delays linked to challenges with the private developer, Quanten Consortium. Construction on the 200,000-barrel-per-day Lobito refinery is also set to resume following a cost reassessment, with a $4.8 billion funding gap being addressed through potential partnerships with Chinese and European financial institutions.
Experts view the Cabinda refinery as a transformative project for Angola’s energy sector. Beyond reducing import dependency, it is expected to enhance regional energy security, stimulate local employment, and contribute to economic stability. With domestic refining capacity on the rise, Angola aims to position itself as not just an oil producer but a self-reliant energy hub in sub-Saharan Africa.