Angola has a target to increase oil and gas production, and by association, exports. In 2024 alone, the country generated over $34 billion from the export of 393.4 million barrels of oil and gas, but with new upstream projects coming online in 2025/2026, the country is well-positioned to further bolster export volumes through greater investment in infrastructure and logistics.

Recent Developments

To support oil and gas trade, Angola launched a maritime passenger and cargo terminal tender for the ports of Cabinda and Soyo in April 2025. The country will award concession contracts to manage, operate and maintain terminals at the ports for a period of 20 years. The development aims to strengthen regional logistics, improve mobility and boost economic growth. Additionally, aimed at boosting trade and export capacity, Angola inaugurated the first phase of the Barra do Dande Ocean Terminal in February 2025. Featuring oil and gas logistics infrastructure, the terminal is the largest fuel storage facility in the country, comprising 29 storage tanks with a capacity of 580,000 cubic meters of gasoline, diesel and gas. A 1,700m jetty was also developed to allow the facility to receive large-vessels. The terminal is situated in Bengo Province and was developed at a cost of $642 million.

Future Projects

Upcoming infrastructure projects are set to further enhance its logistics, production and storage capacity. The country is developing an integrated terminal and logistics hub in Soyo with a capacity to produce 65,000 barrels per day (bpd) and store two million barrels. Developed under a private-public partnership (PPP), the terminal will start operations in 2026. The country is also developing the Kwanza Terminal and Pipeline Routes project, featuring 25,000 bpd in production capacity and one million barrels of storage. Also developed under a PPP model, the project aims to start operations in 2029.

Challenges

With ambitions to become a regional petroleum hub, Angola faces challenges associated with domestic and cross-border distribution. One of the biggest of these is an over-reliance on road infrastructure and lack of adequate regional pipeline systems. Delays at border posts, transport costs and non-tariff barriers further impede distribution. To address these, Angola is investing in targeted infrastructure while promoting cross-border trade using the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA offers a single market for goods and services across Africa and will support cross-border petroleum trade in Angola.

Meanwhile, Angola is working with neighboring Zambia to develop a $5 billion pipeline linking the upcoming Lobito Refinery with Zambia’s capital city Lusaka. The proposed 1,400km pipeline will transport Angolan crude, with technical work completed in April 2024. The Lobito Refinery – with a planned capacity of 200,000 bpd – will be the country’s largest facility following completion. Additionally, Angola is finalizing preparations to join the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Zone. A regional market that aims to further liberalize intra-African trade, the SADC Free Zone offers reduced trade tariffs, access to regional markets and strengthened cross-border collaboration. With its accession, Angola becomes the 14th SADC member to join the regional market.

Stepping into this picture, the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – returning for its sixth edition from September 3-4 in Luanda – will outline how the country’s drive to improve its logistics networks will support anticipated export growth. Downstream-focused panel discussions will explore upcoming projects and investment opportunities, diving into the challenges and associated solutions for Angolan exports.