• Cabinda refinery enters final testing phase ahead of production

• Project aims to reduce Angola’s heavy reliance on fuel imports

• Startup expected “in the coming days” after repeated delays

Angola is moving closer to bringing the Cabinda refinery into operation, marking a key step in efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on imported refined fuels.

On March 16, Secretary of State for Oil and Gas José Alexandre Barroso visited the site to assess progress ahead of the refinery’s planned startup, according to the state news agency Angop.

The visit comes as the facility undergoes final technical testing. These trials focus on processing units and safety systems, with the aim of confirming that the infrastructure meets operational standards.

According to official sources, the main construction work has been completed. The refinery already has crude oil in storage, although volumes have not been disclosed. Only minor technical adjustments remain before production can begin.

The facility is designed to produce diesel, gasoline, and kerosene at a time when Angola continues to rely heavily on imported refined products. In 2025, the country imported about 3.49 million tons of refined fuels—around 73% of its consumption—at a cost of $2.6 billion, up from 71% the previous year.

Startup expected “in the coming days” after four years of delays

The launch of the Cabinda refinery has been repeatedly delayed since 2022. Authorities now say operations could begin “in the coming days,” after several years of postponements.

The project was initially scheduled to come online in July 2022, as announced by Angolan authorities in May of that year. Deadlines were later pushed back. In July 2023, project officials cited technical constraints related to construction progress and the installation of industrial equipment.

The project reached a key milestone in July 2023, when Gemcorp Holdings and its partners secured financial close, ensuring funding for construction. Despite this progress, timelines have been revised multiple times, particularly regarding the completion of installations and the final technical phases before operations.

In August 2025, Ecofin Agency reported that Angola is on track to become the leading refining hub in Central Africa. With the Cabinda refinery coming online, the country’s total refining capacity would reach about 95,000 barrels per day, ahead of Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon.

This outlook is based on the gradual expansion of national capacity. The Cabinda refinery will initially process 30,000 barrels per day, with a planned expansion to 60,000 barrels per day. Over time, Angola’s total refining capacity could reach 125,000 barrels per day.

Abdel-Latif Boureima