Namibia President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Visits Luanda Refinery During Angola State Visit
Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Luanda refinery in Angola on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, before concluding her state visit to the country, as both nations seek to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Namibian delegation to learn more about Angola’s petroleum refining operations and its efforts to expand domestic processing capacity.
The Luanda refinery, operated by Sonangol, has a processing capacity of approximately 65,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The facility produces petroleum products for the domestic market, including petrol, diesel and other fuels.
The refinery plays an important role in Angola’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products and strengthen the country’s fuel supply security.
Angola has been investing in expanding its domestic refining capacity, including the development of the new refinery in Lobito, Benguela Province.
The project is designed to process up to 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to increase the availability of locally refined fuels while creating opportunities for exports to neighbouring markets.
During her visit, Nandi-Ndaitwah was accompanied by members of the Angolan and Namibian delegations.
The engagement followed high-level discussions between the two countries on strengthening cooperation in energy, water infrastructure, agriculture, transport and trade.
Angolan President João Lourenço previously invited Namibia to consider acquiring a stake in the Lobito refinery, highlighting the potential for regional partnerships in petroleum processing and fuel supply.
Such cooperation could provide Namibia with opportunities to participate in regional energy infrastructure while supporting efforts to improve fuel availability and diversify supply sources.
Namibia is also pursuing the development of its own petroleum industry following significant offshore oil discoveries.
Although the country has yet to begin commercial oil production, exploration and appraisal activities have attracted international energy companies and increased interest in the country’s long-term energy prospects.
The two governments have expressed a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties and advancing projects that support industrial development, energy security and regional integration.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s visit to the Luanda refinery concluded her state visit to Angola, during which the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation across several strategic sectors.
