Category: Angola

Africa, Angola

The Current Angolan Economic Picture

Jul 13, 2025 by source 0 Comments

Population (2025 est.): 39.0 million
GDP (Nominal 2024 est.): $113.3 billion ($2,884 per capita)
GDP (PPP 2023): $260.3 billion ($7,077 per capita)
Official Language: Portuguese
National Languages: Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo, Chokwe, Oshiwambo, Luchazi
Area: 1.246 million km² (22nd largest in Africa)

The Porto de Luanda is Angola’s largest, serving a growing city of over five million.

Natural Resources:

  • Petroleum (Angola is the top crude‑oil producer in sub‑Saharan Africa, ~50% of GDP and 90% of exports)
  • Diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, bauxite, uranium

Main Industries:

  • Oil & gas (dominated by Sonangol, Chevron, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Eni, BP)
  • Diamond mining
  • Iron ore and other mineral extraction
  • Basic manufacturing: cement, metal products, food & beverage processing, textiles, ship repair
  • Agriculture (cassava, bananas, maize, sweet potato, palm oil)
  • Fisheries (artisanal & commercial)

💡 Economic Opportunities for U.S. Companies & Investors

1. Energy & Oil‑Gas Services

  • Angola’s oil industry accounts for ~50% of GDP and ~90% of exports; U.S. majors (Chevron, ExxonMobil) already present .
  • The Lobito Corridor rail and related infrastructure (supported by DFC’s $553M loan) is opening access to oil, gas, and mineral-export pipelines

2. Infrastructure & Logistics

  • The Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor is a $10 billion-plus U.S.-backed railway project to connect the DRC/Zambia to Angola’s port for critical-mineral exports—prime for U.S. engineering, telecom, and construction firms

3. Agriculture & Food Security

  • Only ~3% of fertile land is cultivated, while food imports are high due to low self-sufficiency

4. Renewable Energy & Clean Tech

  • Angola aims to generate 73% of energy from clean sources by 2027
  • DFC funding in infrastructure can support U.S. firms in smart-grid, energy storage, and renewables.

5. Higher Education & Digital Infrastructure

  • A $150M World Bank + $50M Global Partnership for Education “TEST” project creates openings for U.S. tertiary education partnerships
  • U.S. support in digital infrastructure and telecom via State Dept supports investment in broadband, 5G rollout, and fintech .

6. Mining Diversification & Local Processing

  • With oil-dominated exports, diversifying into minerals (iron ore, copper) and encouraging local processing aligns with African value-chain trends
  • U.S. partners can develop secondary processing facilities and technical training hubs.

Angola stands at a pivotal moment: an oil-rich economy seeking to diversify via minerals, agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, and digital sectors. U.S. investments backed by strategic engagement (like DFC funding and PGI support), combined with strong partnerships from Luanda’s government and reformist trajectory, position American companies well—but careful navigation of regulatory, governance, and market-concentration risks remains essential.

Angola, Congo, DRC, Mining, Refining, Tanzania, Zambia

Mining and Refining Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel, and Coltan

Dec 29, 2024 by source 0 Comments

Mining and refining minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and coltan involve distinct processes due to differences in their geological occurrence, extraction methods, and refining requirements.

Cobalt

  • Mining: Cobalt is typically mined as a byproduct of copper or nickel mining, especially in regions like the DRC (Congo-Kinshasa). Open-pit or underground mining is used depending on the depth of the deposits.
  • Refining: Cobalt refining involves separating it from associated metals through hydrometallurgical processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, and electro-winning. High-purity cobalt is critical for battery production and industrial applications.

Lithium

  • Mining: Lithium is extracted from two main sources: spodumene (hard rock deposits) and lithium brine (found in salt flats). Hard rock mining requires crushing and processing ores, while brine extraction involves pumping underground saltwater to the surface for evaporation.
  • Refining: Refining lithium involves chemical processing to convert spodumene or brine into lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, the forms used in batteries. This is an energy-intensive process that requires careful environmental management.

Nickel

  • Mining: Nickel is mined from lateritic (surface) deposits and sulfide ores. Laterite mining is generally open-pit, while sulfide ores can require underground methods.
  • Refining: Refining nickel depends on the ore type. Sulfide ores are refined through smelting and electro-refining, while laterites require high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) to extract nickel. Nickel is a vital component in stainless steel and high-performance batteries.
Coltan ore contains metals of Tantalum and Niobium without them the productions of smart phones, laptops and condensers of all other electronic products related to contemporary world.

Coltan

  • Mining: Coltan (a source of tantalum and niobium) is often mined artisanally in the DRC and other parts of Africa. This involves manual digging and sifting of riverbeds and soil, making it labor-intensive and prone to ethical concerns.
  • Refining: Refining coltan involves chemical processing to extract tantalum and niobium, which are used in electronics and aerospace components. The refining process is highly specialized due to the high melting points and reactive nature of these metals.
Africa, Angola, Congo, DRC, Mining, Zambia

Unlocking the Potential: Mining, Rail and Industrial Opportunities in Africa

Dec 29, 2024 by source 0 Comments

Africa is home to vast and untapped mineral wealth, offering an unparalleled opportunity for economic development and sustainable growth. As global demand for essential minerals such as lithium, cobalt, tantalum, gold, and rare earth elements surges, the region stands at the forefront of a new era in mining expansion. Our team is uniquely positioned to lead transformative projects that not only harness these resources but work in partnership with local communities to maximize efficiency and boost output.

Africa, Angola, Congo, DRC, Mining, Tanzania, Zambia

Navigating Challenges in African Mining

Mar 3, 2024 by source 0 Comments

Mining development in Sub-Saharan Africa is not without its challenges. Political instability, regulatory compliance, and logistical constraints require careful navigation. Our team’s experience in risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and compliance ensures that we can overcome these hurdles effectively.

By fostering strong partnerships with local governments, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders, we aim to create a collaborative ecosystem that benefits all parties involved. Additionally, we emphasize transparency and adherence to international mining standards to build trust and long-term sustainability.

Africa, Angola, Congo, DRC, Minerals, Refining, Tanzania, Zambia

Unlocking Opportunities in Lithium and Cobalt

Mar 3, 2024 by source 0 Comments

With the growing demand for batteries in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, lithium and cobalt have become indispensable. The DRC alone accounts for over 70% of the world’s cobalt supply, making it a critical player in the global supply chain. Our team is working on innovative solutions to responsibly extract these minerals while addressing supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing concerns.

In collaboration with local governments and stakeholders, we aim to establish processing facilities closer to mining sites. This not only reduces export dependency but also generates additional value within the region, creating jobs and fostering economic diversification.

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