Leading the Energy Transition and Diversification: The State-Owned
Enterprise demonstrates the resilience and strategic vision required to
shape the economic future of the Country and the Continent.
AIMC STAFF WRITER
On the eve of a prestigious event such as AIMC 2025, the fact that
Sonangol, the State-Owned Enterprise (E.P.), has attained Titanium
Sponsor status transcends mere corporate participation. It is the
acknowledgement of a trajectory intertwined with the very history of the
Angolan nation, a journey of resilience and a continuous demonstration
of its capacity to shape the Country’s energy destiny and project
influence onto the global stage. To look at Sonangol is to understand
Angola’s ability to transform critical challenges into opportunities for
strategic and sustainable growth.
The Roots of a National Mission
The birth of Sonangol, formalised by Decree-Law No. 52/76, was not a
singular act, but a pressing necessity to secure the economic sovereignty
of the newly independent Country. Recalling its origins means going back
to the creation of a Working Group, prior to independence, with the
objective of establishing a strategy that would allow the continuation
of oil exploration and production activities. This initial effort evolved
into the National Commission for the Restructuring of the Oil Industry,
and subsequently, into the nationalisation of ANGOL, culminating in the
creation of Sonangol – Sociedade Nacional de Combustíveis de Angola,
U.E.E.
The context was one of abandonment: several operating companies left the
Country, forcing Sonangol to purchase essential installations and,
crucially, to absorb the workers who sought employment there. From the
outset, the company had to manage a strategic resource with the agility
of a private entity, under strict performance standards, to guarantee
efficiency and productivity, even with the Angolan State as its sole
shareholder. This duality—a state-owned company with a private-sector
mentality—underpins its success and longevity.
To overcome the shortage of qualified personnel, Sonangol immediately
invested in training. The sending of the first scholars to Italy and
Algeria, in its early days, signalled a crucial strategic commitment:
recognising the importance of qualifying Angolan human capital to assume
leadership of the industry. This commitment to training and valuing
internal staff remains a pillar that sustains the State-Owned
Enterprise’s strategic vision, as is evident today with the investment
in institutions such as ISPTEC or the Sonangol Academy.
Evolving into an Integrated Multinational Group
Sonangol did not limit itself to managing the post-independence
inheritance. Its history is marked by its capacity for expansion and
diversification. Attentive to new business opportunities, it quickly
began to form partnerships and business units that contributed to
Angola’s development and the Group’s expansion. From a single company,
it evolved into a Group with more than 30 subsidiaries and affiliates,
developing a business system centred on hydrocarbon resources, but with
an unwavering focus on environmental preservation and industrial safety.
Sonangol’s chronology demonstrates remarkable growth: founding the
first international subsidiary in London (1983); awarding the first deep[1]water concession (1991); creating Sonangol P&P (1992); and, more
recently, registering the first pre-salt oil discovery (2012). The change
of status from U.E.E. to E.P. in 1999 and the subsequent Regeneration
Programme (2019) attest to its adaptability and the continuous imperative
to optimise its governance and structure.
Today, Sonangol is a multinational by merit, with a presence across four
continents. In Africa, it distributes refined products in Cape Verde and
São Tomé and Príncipe. In the Americas, it explores, develops, and
produces in Brazil and Venezuela, and trades in the United States of
America. In Asia, it commercialises in Singapore and Hong Kong. In
Europe, its presence in Portugal and the United Kingdom reinforces its
international profile, allowing the company to manage its business, from
exploration to commercialisation, with a truly global perspective.
The Strategic Imperative of Transition and Sustainability
Sonangol E.P.’s strategic plan for the future demonstrates a cutting[1]edge vision, aligned with major global trends and Angola’s pressing
needs. The Company’s Mission – “To act in the sustainable development
of the oil and energy generation industry, ensuring greater return for
the shareholder, partners, and society” – and its Vision – “To become
an integrated benchmark company in the African Continent’s oil and
energy sector, sustainable and committed to environmental preservation”
– leave no doubt as to its commitment.
Among the Strategic Objectives, the following stand out: To increase the
operated production share of crude oil and natural gas; To increase the
internal processing capacity of Crude Oil, to reduce national reliance
on imported refined products and to develop petrochemical clusters; To
produce electricity from renewable sources; and To monitor and reduce
$CO_{2}e$ emissions.
The emphasis on electricity production from renewable sources, as
evidenced by the launch of the Quilemba Photovoltaic Power Plant in
Lubango, demonstrates the seriousness with which the State-Owned
Enterprise approaches diversification and the energy transition. In the
1st Half of 2025, the Gas and Renewable Energies business guaranteed the
distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for domestic consumption,
reinforcing its crucial role in national energy security and autonomy.
Additionally, efforts to strengthen corporate governance, with the
revitalisation of Statutory Committees and the initiation of the process
to integrate independent members, demonstrate the relentless pursuit of
transparency and best management practices, essential for a company of
Sonangol’s size and responsibility.
Leadership in Action and the Future at AIMC 2025
Sonangol’s presence as Titanium Sponsor of AIMC 2025 is not just a
financial investment; it is a declaration of intent. It is an opportunity
for the company to share its experience in Thought Leadership, to show
how to Transform a state-owned company into an efficient and diversified
entity capable of competing globally and Contributing to decarbonisation
and its Country’s energy autonomy.
The results for the 1st Half of 2025, which point to a consolidated net
result of USD 702 million and projects such as SonaJovem 5.0 to maximise
the potential of Angolan talent, are a testament to Sonangol fulfilling
its mission: To Generate value for the Country, To Develop its human
capital and To Guarantee a more secure and sustainable energy future.
Sonangol invites the business community and opinion leaders to Reflect
on this 49-year trajectory: a history of overcoming adversity, of Group
growth and a commitment to Lead sustainable development in Africa. The
State-Owned Enterprise represents Angola’s long-term vision, ready to
Take on the challenges of tomorrow and Continue to be a driver of economic
and social transformation. The future of energy, in Angola and beyond
its borders, depends on Recognising and Supporting this leadership.
AIMC 2025