Angola’s Sonangol Deepens Critical Minerals Strategy With Swakop Uranium Partnership
Angola’s national oil company Sonangol has signed a Project Development Agreement (PDA) with Namibia-based Swakop Uranium, marking a strategic step in Angola’s push to diversify beyond hydrocarbons into the global critical minerals sector.
While financial details were not disclosed, the agreement is expected to cover exploration, project development, and technical cooperation focused on minerals essential to the energy transition, including uranium and other strategic resources.
The partnership supports Sonangol’s broader diversification agenda as Angola responds to evolving global energy markets.
Earlier this year, the company confirmed plans to expand into critical minerals such as uranium, lithium, and quartz, and stated that it already holds seven exploration concessions as part of its mining sector ambitions.
For Swakop Uranium, the agreement leverages experience from Namibia’s Husab mine, one of the world’s major uranium operations.
The mine began production in 2016, includes multiple mineralised zones with two currently in production, and has a mine life extending to 2044. It is also supported by a large-scale exploration programme involving extensive drilling activity.
The deal comes amid rising global competition for critical minerals and nuclear fuel supply chains.
Uranium demand continues to strengthen as countries expand nuclear power capacity to support energy security and decarbonisation targets.
Namibia remains a key global uranium producer, accounting for around 12% of world output in 2024 and ranking third globally behind Kazakhstan and Canada.
The agreement highlights Angola’s growing ambition to position itself within the critical minerals value chain and broaden its resource base beyond oil and gas.
