Developed by Angola’s national oil company Sonangol and investment manager Gemcorp, the Cabinda Refinery has emerged as a cornerstone of Angola’s refining renaissance. The facility not only represents the second operational refinery in the country, but the first new facility developed in the last 50 years. First phase operations started in September 2025 with a capacity of 30,000 barrels per day (bpd), with financial backing from Africa Finance Corporation, the African Export-Import Bank, BADEA, IDC and BFA.

Currently, performance tests for the first phase are underway, with completion expected by the end of February 2026. Meanwhile, Gemcorp CEO Marcelo Hojke recently told press that the facility will start marketing petroleum products to the Angolan market in March 2026. Sonangol will provide feedstock for the facility and be responsible for marketing.

Looking ahead, the Cabinda Refinery has already started development planning for its second phase. Set to increase output to 60,000 bpd, engineering works for the second phase are underway until October 2026, after which a construction tender will be issued. Hojke stated that the facility expects to start second phase operations in 2027, with $700 million required. This opens up a unique opportunity for international investors seeking to expand their portfolios into Angola’s downstream sector, with AOG 2026 playing a facilitating role in connecting capital to projects.

As the country advances a national strategy centered on sustaining crude output above one million bpd, the alignment between increased oil production and domestic refining has never been more critical. Ongoing upstream milestones underscore the country’s commitment to maximizing hydrocarbon value. This month, Azule Energy and its Block 15/06 announced the 500-million-barrel Agaita-01 well discovery, bolstering the asset’s recoverable reserves. Several drilling campaigns are also planned for 2026, while a planned licensing round will open-up new acreage. Corcel plans to spud an exploration well at Block KON 16 following a seismic data acquisition program completed in 2025. Sonangol plans to drill at Block 24 this year while Afentra is advancing development planning at Block 3/24, with FID planned for late-2026 or early 2027.

This exploration and production growth is being strategically matched by downstream infrastructure development, with the Cabinda Refinery playing a pivotal role in strengthening fuel security, reducing imports and enhancing value retention within Angola’s borders. As the refinery looks towards second phase development, AOG 2026 is strategically positioned to support this next chapter.