Angola and Nigeria are taking center stage in Africa’s quest for energy security, with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) projecting that the continent could meet up to 90% of its fuel demand through domestic refining—up from just 45% in 2024.
This bold projection is outlined in the AFC’s newly released State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025, which highlights Angola’s rising role as a strategic refining hub alongside Nigeria.
Angola is increasingly recognized as a major force in shaping Africa’s future energy landscape. The country’s ongoing investments in greenfield refinery projects and upgrades to existing infrastructure position it as a key driver of the continent’s refining expansion.
These efforts are aimed at not only reducing Angola’s dependence on imported petroleum products but also supplying fuel to neighboring countries across Central and Southern Africa.
While Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery—Africa’s largest, with a 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity—has captured global attention, the AFC report emphasizes Angola’s growing contribution to regional energy self-sufficiency.
Angola’s strategic location, coupled with its rich oil reserves and commitment to infrastructure development, make it an essential partner in achieving Africa’s energy goals.
The AFC estimates that if all existing and planned refineries across Africa operate at full capacity, imports could be slashed to just 10% of total demand. Angola’s expanding refining sector is a crucial part of this vision.
The country is actively modernizing facilities and attracting investment into new energy infrastructure—initiatives that are expected to play a critical role in stabilizing fuel supply across the region.
To reach this goal, the AFC recommends two key strategies: first, investing approximately $16 billion to upgrade and optimize existing refineries; and second, prioritizing greenfield projects in high-potential countries like Angola.
These efforts must be supported by robust transportation and distribution networks, including pipelines, railways, and port facilities, to ensure reliable fuel access across the continent.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has praised the Dangote Refinery as a “great phenomenon of our time,” reflecting the importance of such mega-projects in reshaping Africa’s energy sector.
However, Angola’s less-publicized but equally strategic contributions are becoming increasingly important in the continental energy narrative.
As Angola continues to build refining capacity, attract investment, and strengthen its energy infrastructure, it is emerging as a central pillar of Africa’s long-term energy independence.
Together with Nigeria, Angola is set to lead the continent away from fuel import dependence and toward a more secure and self-reliant energy future.
