“As Angola, we have accomplished a goal of 50 years of independence. The challenge looking ahead is developing local capacity. We are doing everything we can do develop Angolan local capacity in the industry. The goal is to leave a legacy for the next generation and strengthen our economy,” said Estanislau Baptista, CEO, Petrofund.

Angolan service providers and energy companies are already making advancements in the industry, positioning themselves as strong partners and preferred suppliers for international operators. However, challenges persist.

According to Helena dos Santos, HR Manager, Algoa Cabinda, “The challenges we face involve human capital development. There needs to be career development plans, coaching and training. Sometimes, training finishes at entry level due to lack of consistency in long-term projects. However, Angola is making major improvements. We need to make sure we don’t lose those highly-trained technicians. We shouldn’t only transfer knowledge, but ensure young Angolans have confidence to lead senior positions in the industry.”

Strong local content policies and a commitment by international companies to work with Angolan partners will help address these challenges. According to Francisco Monteiro, CEO, Brimont, Angola has been highly successful in its planning, particularly regarding local content, oil and gas development and long-term investments. However, the country needs to move planning to implement tangible actions to unlock the potential of its local companies. He explained: “We have the capacity for planning. We need to implement. We need to answer to what we plan to do.”

For Angola’s national champions, ambition will be key. Ulanga Gaspar-Martins, CEO, Poliedro, shared that “We have a lot content law, an aggressive strategy by the ANPG and have banks that are adjusting to the needs of the industry. It all starts with the ambition of the local companies to play a bigger role in the industry.”