• Angola awards $200M Mussulo desalination project to AMEA Power
• Plant to supply 800,000 residents, operational in two phases by 2028
• Marks UAE firm’s shift from energy to integrated water infrastructure

A new desalination plant with a capacity of 100,000 cubic meters per day is set to be built on Angola’s Mussulo peninsula by 2028. The $200 million project, awarded to AMEA Power, will be completed in two phases of 50,000 cubic meters each and is expected to provide drinking water to nearly 800,000 residents.

The initiative complements the government’s public Bita and Quilonga programs and highlights an emerging trend in Sub-Saharan Africa: the growing role of private-sector water infrastructure that supplements state-led efforts. The region faces dual pressures from rapid urban growth and climate vulnerability, and while countries are investing in major programs, they often struggle to meet demand on their own.

In this context, private international players are partnering with governments. AMEA Power is also exploring the Togolese market, where a project has been mentioned, though no public details are available. This new direction marks a turning point for the UAE-based group, which has primarily focused on energy projects, with approximately 2,600 MW already operational or under construction and more than 6 GW in development.

The company's portfolio includes the 500 MW Amunet wind farm in Egypt, the 50 MW Boundoukou solar plant in Côte d'Ivoire, and the 120 MW Doornhoek solar project in South Africa. AMEA Power has also ventured into green hydrogen with projects in Morocco and Egypt. Now, it is expanding its role by combining electricity and water to provide integrated solutions.

The creation of Water Alliance Ventures in May 2025, a joint venture with Spain’s Cox group, reflects this push for diversification. Cox manages more than 8.3 million cubic meters per day of global desalination capacity and brings technological and industrial expertise, while AMEA provides its deep-rooted presence in Africa.

By investing in water, AMEA is moving beyond its status as an independent power producer to become a developer of essential infrastructure. On a continent where water security is becoming as strategic as electrification, this repositioning places AMEA, and by extension the United Arab Emirates, at the heart of Africa's sustainable development challenges.

Abdoullah Diop