AGP Executive Report

Angola Energy & Gas Reform: Angola’s gas reform model is being highlighted as a blueprint for Mozambique’s LNG push, with emphasis on commercialization rules, regulatory certainty, and institutional coordination to unlock long-term value. Offshore Oil Buildout: Azule Energy has begun topside construction for the Greater PAJ FPSO in China, a $5.1bn Angola deepwater project targeting first oil in 1H 2029 and supporting Palas, Astraea, Juno, Urano and Dione developments. Critical Minerals Value Addition: SADC leaders are urging members to process critical minerals locally before export to boost jobs and industrial growth, aligning national plans with the regional industrialisation agenda. Oil Block Tax Incentives: Angola’s Council of Ministers reviewed new tax incentive proposals for oil blocks 34 and 35, alongside measures tied to Sonangol’s rights and risk service contracts. Trade & Industry Links: South African firms returned from FILDA with business leads across agro-processing, engineering, mining and steel, while Angola also participated in ASEA’s electricity industry assembly in Ghana. Finance & Payments: RMB settlement is expanding as Standard Bank extends China’s CIPS access to Angola and other markets, aiming to speed cross-border trade payments. Infrastructure Pipeline: Tanzania will host the Infra for Africa Forum and Africa50 shareholder meeting in early August, focusing on closing the region’s major infrastructure financing gap. Telecom & Connectivity: TAAG passengers will get digital international mobile data access via eSIM services in 190+ destinations, boosting ancillary revenue. Mining & Commodities: Angola-linked diamond trade news continues as Anglo American discusses a roughly $1bn De Beers sale to a consortium including Namibia and Angola.

WTO Value-Add Push: WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged African economies to stop exporting raw materials and build regional value chains as global supply chains diversify. Energy Policy: Angola’s Council of Ministers reviewed new tax incentives for oil blocks 34 and 35, plus changes tied to Sonangol’s rights and risk service contracts—aimed at boosting hydrocarbon profitability. Oil & Gas Operations: Woodside is evaluating a Phase 2 expansion for Senegal’s Sangomar field after strong reservoir performance, signaling continued offshore development momentum in the region. Power Sector Cooperation: Angola’s state energy firms joined the ASEA Ordinary General Assembly in Ghana to tackle regional electricity challenges and strengthen interconnection for energy security. Trade & Industry Linkages: South African firms returned from FILDA with business leads across agro-processing, steel, engineering, mining and cosmetics, highlighting Luanda’s role as an export gateway. Capital Markets & Telecom Risk: Unitel suffered a cyberattack hours before its $329m IPO and BODIVA trading debut, putting cybersecurity and investor confidence under the spotlight. Health System Upgrade: Angola will start kidney transplants using compatible living family donors, with a new coordination and supervision service to curb organ trafficking and transplant tourism. FAO Leadership Bid: The African Union approved Angola’s Josefa Sacko as FAO DG candidate for 2027–2031, reinforcing food-security governance ambitions. Mining Finance Watch: A World Bank-linked warning flags how collateral-backed sovereign borrowing (including Angola) can complicate future debt restructuring.

Cybersecurity & Capital Markets: Angola’s Unitel says it detected a cyberattack early Tuesday, disrupting services for millions as the country prepares for the $329m Unitel IPO on BODIVA—raising fresh questions about digital resilience during major market events. Aviation & Gender Leadership: At ICAO’s Global Aviation Gender Summit in Luanda (21–23 July), SLCAA DG Musayeroh Barrie received continental recognition for advancing civil aviation and women’s leadership. Energy & Upstream Performance: Eni reported stronger Q2 results, lifting buybacks as production grows, with new project start-ups in Angola cited among volume drivers. Trade & Payments: Standard Bank says China’s CIPS processed over $1bn in its first year via the bank, now expanded to Angola and other African markets to speed RMB settlements for trade. Industry & Infrastructure: Angola’s West-East Highway is set to create over 1,000 jobs as INEA and GAV Construções move forward with construction plans. Mining & Diamonds: Anglo American is reportedly in talks to sell its De Beers stake for about $1bn, with Angola named among the consortium participants. Agri-Food & Diversification: Namibia’s new agri-food strategy targets 6% annual growth and doubling agriculture’s GDP contribution by 2030, with stronger veterinary services and market access for farmers. Education & Talent Pipeline: Trine University’s Angola campus invites employers to its Tailgate for Talent (Sept. 24) to recruit engineering, computing, business and other graduates.

Cybersecurity & Capital Markets: Angola’s biggest telecom, Unitel, reported a cyberattack early Tuesday, disrupting services for millions as the IPO momentum heads into expected BODIVA trading. Privatisation & Telecom Finance: Angola raised about $321m by selling a 15% Unitel stake, a flagship test of President Lourenço’s privatisation push to deepen the capital market. Infrastructure & Jobs: Angola’s West-East Highway project is set to create over 1,000 jobs, with INEA and GAV Construções signing an MoU to connect Benguela, Huambo, Bié and Moxico toward regional integration. Energy & Investment Signals: The IEA says Africa’s upstream investment fell to $37bn in 2025, with Angola among the dominant producers still attracting attention. Agribusiness & Logistics: Netherlands-backed investment in Huambo targets avocado and moringa value chains, plus logistics upgrades via the Caála Agro-Logistics Platform and a rail spur to the Benguela line. Trade & Industry Events: FILDA wrapped with 139,000+ visitors and Angola-focused business leads, while South African firms returned with promising trade contacts across agro-processing, engineering and mining. Aviation Talent & Gender: Angola hosted the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2026 in Luanda, pushing women’s participation as a strategic aviation workforce priority. Education Diplomacy: Angola is being positioned as an academic diplomacy hub through partnerships linking universities and HBCUs in the US.

Luanda Business & Jobs: Angola’s West-East Highway deal is set to generate over 1,000 jobs, with INEA and GAV Construções signing a MoU that frames the corridor as a national integration and market-access boost. Capital Markets: Angola raised about $321m by selling a 15% stake in Unitel, a flagship test of the privatisation push, with trading expected to start around July 29. Trade & Industry Expo: FILDA 2026 wrapped with a provisional 139,000 visitors (+7.5%), drawing 2,348 exhibitors across sectors from food and construction to energy; South Africa’s pavilion alone reported 82 trade leads. Aviation & Skills: Angola hosted the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2026 in Luanda, pushing for more women in aviation as a talent and competitiveness priority. Energy & Digital Innovation: Eni opened its supercomputing infrastructure to AI partners, extending HPC and AI tools beyond internal use. Border & Security: Angola’s border police detained 614 DRC citizens for illegal entry in Lunda-Norte, linking repeat crossings to illicit diamond mining and fuel smuggling. Hiring Pipeline: Trine University’s Tailgate for Talent invites Angola-area employers to recruit students and graduates for internships and full-time roles on Sept. 24.

Privatisation & Capital Markets: Angola raised about $321m by selling a 15% stake in Unitel, a flagship test of President Lourenço’s privatisation push, with trading expected around 29 July and proceeds aimed at the state budget and deepening the local market. Aviation & Connectivity: TAAG secured EU aviation safety approval for Boeing 787-9 operations, strengthening maintenance and engineering capacity as it prepares Luanda–Lisbon services. Trade & Industry Fairs: FILDA 2026 in Luanda’s ZEE closed with a provisional 139,000 visitors (+7.5%); exhibitors from agriculture, food, construction, energy and more reported deals and partnerships, while South African firms returned with 82 trade leads. Agribusiness & Logistics: The Netherlands is scaling Huambo investments for avocado and moringa value chains, including an agro-logistics platform and a rail spur to speed exports. Food Processing Investment: Naval Group will build a $330m food processing complex in Cacuaco (Luanda) with 5,000 tons/day capacity and 2,000+ jobs, targeting completion in 2027. Regional Policy & Payments: Angola’s kwanza is set to join the SADC settlement system, expanding payment options beyond the rand to cut costs and speed regional trade. Border Security: Angola’s border police detained 614 DRC nationals for illegal entry in Lunda-Norte, citing links to illicit diamond mining and fuel smuggling.

Trade & Industry: FILDA 2026 in Luanda (21–26 July) closed with a provisional 139,000 visitors (+7.5%); 2,348 exhibitors from agriculture, industry, construction, banking and energy, plus deals on digital trade, industrialization and the Lobito Corridor. South Africa–Angola commerce: South African firms returned with 82 trade leads and meetings with 341 buyers, spanning agro-processing, steel/metal fabrication, engineering, mining and chemicals. Industrial investment: Naval Group will build a $330m food-processing complex in Cacuaco (7 units; 5,000 tons/day), targeting completion in 2027 and 2,000+ jobs. Agriculture & jobs: Cuanza-Norte inaugurated Cacala (312 ha) and Coreia-1 (314 ha) irrigated perimeters under PDAC to support 3,000+ farming families. Policy & compliance: Angola is among 60 economies hit by new US forced-labour Section 301 tariffs (10% or 12.5% depending on carve-outs), while Angola’s blue-bonds plan hinges on passage of the Marine Space Management Law. Mining safety: Huambo’s illegal artisanal gold mine collapse killed two sisters (11 and 23), underlining ongoing safety risks.

SADC Payments Upgrade: South Africa’s central bank says Angola’s kwanza will join the SADC RTGS settlement system, aiming to speed payments, cut transaction costs and deepen regional trade links. Agriculture & Water Security: In Cuanza-Norte, Lucala inaugurated the 312-hectare Cacala and 314-hectare Coreia-1 irrigated perimeters under the Commercial Agriculture Development Program, targeting over 3,000 farming families. Blue Economy Finance: Angola’s Fisheries ministry links Blue Bonds on BODIVA to passage of a Marine Space Management Law, a legal prerequisite for accessing sustainable maritime financing. Food Processing Investment: Naval Group will invest $330m in a Cacuaco food processing complex (5,000 tons/day) with seven units and 2,000+ jobs, due to finish in 2027. Fisheries Enforcement: Luanda reports 4,000+ fishing vessels operating clandestinely, pushing for cold-storage and market infrastructure to formalize the value chain. Credit Access: Angola’s BNA says mortgage, construction and real-sector credit rules (Notice 09/10) have driven 1,168 credit operations worth 1.4bn kwanzas in Uíge. Mining Safety: Huambo’s Civil Protection reports a gold mine collapse in Chinjenje killed two sisters (11 and 23), underscoring risks from unlicensed artisanal mining. Regional Trade Pressure: Angola is among countries hit by new US forced-labour tariffs (12.5%), adding uncertainty for exporters and supply chains.

Blue Economy & Fisheries: Angola says more than 4,000 fishing vessels operate clandestinely off Luanda, matching the legalized fleet, while authorities push value-chain fixes like cold storage and new fish market units. Maritime Finance: Blue Bonds on BODIVA will only launch after Angola’s Marine Space Management Law passes, tying sustainable financing to coastal planning and port reconfiguration. Credit & Housing Finance: Angola’s National Bank (BNA) reports credit-stimulus progress in Uíge, with mortgage, construction and real-sector lending under Notice 10/2024. Food Processing Investment: Naval Group will invest $330m in a Luanda food-processing complex in Cacuaco, targeting 5,000 tons/day and over 2,000 jobs by 2027. Agriculture Resilience: Vihiga County expands farmer-led irrigation to help drought-hit maize growers shift to African leafy vegetables. Trade Pressure: The US imposed new 12.5% forced-labour tariffs on Angola and seven other African economies under Section 301, raising compliance stakes for importers. Mining Safety: Two sisters died in a Huambo artisanal gold mine collapse, renewing calls for safer, licensed operations. FILDA 2026: Luanda’s fair closes Sunday with family-focused events and a Food Square, after 2,348 exhibitors showcased local production.

Food Processing Investment: Naval Group will build a $330m food processing industrial complex in Cacuaco (Luanda), targeting 5,000 tons/day and seven processing units, with early units starting later in 2026 and full completion in 2027; the project is projected to create 2,000+ jobs and includes plans to support family farming. Blue Economy & Finance: Angola is pushing blue bonds on BODIVA, but only after the Marine Space Management Law is passed, with the ministry saying the legal basis is needed for sustainable international financing; meanwhile, officials stress blue economy reforms for diversification, jobs, and port modernization. Fisheries Enforcement: Luanda’s authorities warn that over 4,000 fishing vessels operate clandestinely off the capital, matching the scale of the legalized fleet, and say policies are underway to build cold storage and organize the value chain. Mining Safety: Two sisters died after an illegal artisanal gold mine collapse in Huambo’s Chinjenje, prompting renewed calls to avoid high-risk excavation and unlicensed mining. Trade Policy Shock: Angola is listed among 60 economies hit by new US forced-labour tariffs (10%–12.5%), a move that could affect import costs and supply-chain planning for Angola-linked goods. Credit Access: Angola’s central bank reaffirmed measures to improve credit, citing mortgage and real-sector financing rules and reporting 1,168 credit operations worth over 1.4bn kwanzas in Uíge.

Blue Economy & Fisheries: Angola is pushing the blue economy as a diversification engine, with the Vice-President linking it to jobs, food security and coastal community development, while Luanda’s fisheries authorities say over 4,000 fishing vessels are operating clandestinely and warn that the informal fleet sustains tens of thousands of workers. Blue Bonds & Maritime Law: Plans for “blue bonds” on BODIVA hinge on passage of the Marine Space Management Law, with officials saying structured financing needs a robust legal basis for coastal planning and port reconfiguration. Credit Access: Angola’s central bank reaffirmed measures to improve credit to housing and the real sector, citing hundreds of credit operations under 2024 mortgage and construction credit rules. Mining Safety: A gold mine collapse in Huambo’s Chinjenje killed two sisters (11 and 23), prompting renewed calls to avoid high-risk excavation and unlicensed mining. US Trade Pressure: Angola is among African economies hit by new US forced-labour tariffs (12.5%), a compliance-linked cost risk for importers and supply chains. Energy Transition Context: A new methane-reduction report says Angola and other producers can cut emissions using existing oil-and-gas measures, but progress depends on infrastructure, regulation and financing. Regional Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Olowononi as Southern Africa director, stressing industrialization and value addition across mining, oil and gas, agriculture and trade.

Energy & Climate: A new CATF/Carbon Limits report says Angola and other oil-and-gas producers can cut methane using proven tools like LDAR, VRUs, better flaring and replacing gas-driven pneumatics, but results depend on infrastructure, rules, gas use options and financing access. Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. launched forced-labour Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies (including Angola) at 10% or 12.5%, replacing expiring levies; importers face new compliance and cost pressure. Finance for Industrialization: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Southern Africa regional director, pushing a five-year agenda focused on industrialization, beneficiation and value addition across mining, oil & gas and agriculture. Angola Governance & Agriculture: Angola backed transparent natural-resource governance at the UN, while a draft decree will protect new seed varieties and update veterinary service fees to strengthen agricultural output. Business & Ports: FILDA’s 3rd day drew Angola’s VP and highlighted growing national production, plus continued interest from foreign firms; Angola also discussed blue-economy investment via the Kalunga project.

US Tariffs Hit Angola: The Trump administration’s new Section 301 forced-labour tariffs took effect Friday, with Angola among 60 targeted economies and rates set at 10% or 12.5% depending on compliance claims—raising immediate cost and sourcing pressure for importers and supply chains. Oil & Refining Risk Management: Indian refiners say refinery expansion and crude procurement plans are holding up despite West Asia flare-ups; BPCL says crude availability remains in surplus and it diversified supply, including Angola. Angola Upstream Reform Focus: A new industry report spotlights Angola’s upstream reforms and investment pipeline as output stabilizes near 1.1 mbpd, with policy tools aimed at attracting redevelopment and exploration. FILDA Trade Momentum: Angola’s FILDA 2026 continues to draw foreign interest and business meetings, with the Vice President highlighting growth in national production and partnerships. Natural Resources Governance: Angola reiterated at the UN that transparent, responsible natural resource management underpins peace and development. Agriculture IP Rules: Angola reviewed a decree to protect new seed varieties and update veterinary service fees, aiming to boost quality seed access and research. Blue Economy Push: Angola’s fisheries ministry says blue-economy projects are expanding, including the $143m Kalunga initiative for artisanal fishing, aquaculture and research. SADC Trade Integration: Angola backed a draft law to enable preferential rates for SADC-origin goods to cut import costs and boost intra-regional trade. Mining Community Rights: A Catholic justice body criticized drone surveillance of mining communities, warning it could violate dignity and inflame tensions.

FILDA Trade & Industry: Angola’s 41st FILDA kicked off with high-level attention as Vice President Esperança da Costa toured the Special Economic Zone, stressing growth in national production and deeper Italy-linked cooperation. SADC Trade Policy: The Economic Commission reviewed a draft law letting Angola’s executive set preferential rates for SADC-origin goods, aiming to cut import costs and boost intra-regional competitiveness. Agriculture & Seeds: A new decree will strengthen intellectual property protection for new seed varieties and update veterinary service fees, supporting research and wider access to quality seeds. Aviation & Connectivity: ICAO’s secretary-general backed Angola’s push to become a regional aviation hub, highlighting technical cooperation and gender-focused sector initiatives. Blue Economy: Angola’s fisheries minister said blue-economy investment is rising, with the $143m Kalunga project advancing artisanal fishing, aquaculture, and ocean-data sovereignty. Power Infrastructure: Angola’s transmission network launched community awareness in Huambo and Bie to curb vandalism and fires that have damaged towers and disrupted supply. Legal & Fisheries Sector: Angola’s Supreme Court sentenced the former fisheries minister to a suspended three-year term over embezzlement, ordering state repayment. Regional Integration: AfCFTA forecasts $230bn in trade transactions by 2027, with Angola’s fertilizer complex at Soyo flagged as a potential regional benefit. Energy Security Context: SADC called for more investment in energy infrastructure as electrification lags, spotlighting cross-border interconnector projects including Angola-Namibia.

Critical Minerals & Rare Earths: Critical Metals Corp’s Mrima Hill rare earth and niobium project in Kenya has been shortlisted as one of only three American finalists in Kenya’s government tender, positioning the site near Mombasa as a potential regional processing hub. Oil & Refining Resilience: MRPL says diversified crude sourcing helped it keep refinery operations steady in FY26, with a wide crude basket across multiple regions to reduce single-source risk amid geopolitical shocks. Energy Infrastructure & Power Safety: Angola’s RNT launched the “Ohele” campaign in Huambo and Bie to curb vandalism, fires and excavations near transmission lines after tower collapses and outages. Trade & Industrial Integration: AfCFTA forecasts $230bn in trade transactions by 2027, citing infrastructure and logistics as key bottlenecks while highlighting Angola’s Fertilizer Industrial Complex at Soyo. Angola-China Business & Ports: Angola signed a $900m deal with two Chinese investors for a free trade zone, splitting funding between a new port terminal and surrounding roads, power and utilities. Critical Minerals Value-Add: Namibia’s rare earth push goes beyond mining, with plans to produce higher-value rare earth carbonates as part of a broader beneficiation shift. Electricity Regional Push: SADC called for more investment in energy infrastructure, noting the region’s electrification gap and spotlighting interconnector projects including Angola-Namibia. Governance & Industry Risk: Angola’s Supreme Court sentenced the former fisheries minister to a suspended three-year term over embezzlement, ordering restitution to the state.

Trade & Exports: Italy’s ICE plans to train 160 Angolan firms for European exports, up from 100 already trained, with a September push in Huambo and a focus on agri-food negotiation and certification readiness. Business Fairs: Expo-Huíla in Lubango is fully booked, with all 410 stands taken for Aug. 19–23, and a dedicated area for Huíla’s 23 municipalities to showcase local production potential. Investment & Industry Promotion: FILDA 2026 opens in Icolo e Bengo with a record 2,348 exhibitors and a push for “produce and innovate locally,” while Angola’s government says 774,000 formal jobs were created since Jan 2023, mostly via private activity. Finance & Payments: Banco de Fomento Angola says it will connect directly to CIPS next year to meet rising demand for yuan-based trade settlements with China. Energy & Resources: UNDP calls for stronger African institutions to coordinate blue-economy investment, while Cobre Limited reports progress in Botswana copper recovery work with Equinor and drilling updates with partners. Security & Courts: A Luanda court jailed two Russians for espionage and terrorism-related charges, underscoring ongoing geopolitical scrutiny.