Cabinda Refinery Set to Supply Diesel and Jet Fuel from March as Gemcorp Plans $700M Expansion
The Chief Executive Officer of Gemcorp announced in Luanda that the Cabinda Refinery is expected to begin supplying petroleum products to the market as early as March, following the completion of final performance tests.
Speaking at the launch of Imbono, an integrated investment development platform, Marcelo Hofke said commissioning activities are nearing completion, with testing scheduled to conclude by the end of this month.
He explained that extended testing is a standard process in the oil and gas sector to ensure operational safety, asset integrity and product specification compliance before commercial start-up.
The Cabinda Refinery, inaugurated five months ago, is the first refinery built in Angola since independence.
In its initial phase, the facility has a refining capacity of 30,000 barrels per day. The products to be commercialized include diesel, jet fuel and naphtha, a key feedstock for the petrochemical industry.
Sonangol, which holds a 10 percent stake in the project, will be responsible for marketing the refined products.
Expansion to 60,000 Barrels per Day
Engineering work for the second phase of the refinery is expected to continue through October, after which a construction tender will be launched.
The expansion aims to double capacity to 60,000 barrels per day, with start-up targeted for the first half of 2027.
The second phase is projected to require an investment of approximately $700 million.
Gemcorp has invested nearly $3 billion in Angola to date, including close to $1 billion in the past year. Beyond refining, the London-based firm maintains investments in water, energy and healthcare infrastructure across the country. Additional oil and gas projects are currently under evaluation for potential investment in 2026.
Launch of Imbono Investment Platform
During the event, Hofke also introduced Imbono, a new integrated investment platform that consolidates Gemcorp Angola and Gemcorp ICS.
The platform, with financial headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, is designed to address structural challenges common in emerging markets.
According to Hofke, many projects in developing economies struggle with financing gaps, execution risks or long-term sustainability issues.
Imbono aims to mitigate these challenges by combining structured capital solutions, operational capacity on the ground, and coordinated technical and financial management.
The Cabinda Refinery project represents a key component of Angola’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic refining capacity, reduce fuel imports and enhance energy security.
