Minister Azevedo Unveils KUMA Project to Equip Angolans for Cabinda Refinery Jobs
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum, and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, has officially launched the KUMA Project in Cabinda.
Designed to train 5,000 people in specialized skills, the initiative will directly support operations at the upcoming Cabinda Refinery.
The program is led by Sonangol, Angola’s national oil company, in partnership with investment firm Gemcorp, the developers of the Cabinda Refinery.
Training will be delivered through both fixed and mobile centers, offering certified courses in mechanics, electrical engineering, welding, plumbing, and IT.
Targeting youth, women, and people with disabilities, the project also includes a monthly stipend of Kz 100,000 for trainees. Graduates will be given hiring preference for positions linked to the refinery.
The Cabinda Refinery — Angola’s second refining facility — is scheduled to begin operations in September 2025.
Its first phase will have a processing capacity of 30,000 barrels per day (bpd), with a second phase set to double output to 60,000 bpd.
Through the KUMA Project, the government aims to ensure that Angolans are not only participants but also leaders in the refinery’s workforce, reinforcing the country’s commitment to local capacity building and long-term energy sector growth.
