Angola’s Minister Azevedo Honored for Transforming Energy Sector

In a tribute to a career marked by visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to peace, progress, and energy-driven development, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, has been awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 50th Anniversary of National Independence in the Peace and Development Class by President João Lourenço. The honor reflects Minister Azevedo’s instrumental role in reshaping Angola’s oil and gas landscape into a globally competitive, investment-attracting sector that powers national development.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC), representing the voice of Africa’s energy sector, has strongly endorsed the recognition, applauding Minister Azevedo for his leadership in enacting structural reforms, expanding infrastructure, and creating a fertile investment climate across Angola’s petroleum industry.

Catalyzing a New Era of Energy Investment

Under Minister Azevedo’s stewardship, Angola has embarked on a transformative journey to position itself as a regional petroleum hub, laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity and energy security. A central feature of this transformation is a $60 billion upstream investment campaign, complemented by a multi-phase refinery rollout, progressive licensing reforms, and the upcoming launch of the country’s first Gas Master Plan (GMP).

These initiatives have not only bolstered investor confidence but also unlocked vast potential in mature fields, marginal plays, and frontier basins, ensuring that Angola remains one of Africa’s most dynamic oil and gas markets.

Landmark Projects Defining Angola’s Energy Future

Minister Azevedo’s forward-looking vision is evident in Angola’s robust 2025–2028 energy project pipeline, which includes:

• The Cabinda Refinery, expected to come online in 2025 with a processing capacity of 60,000 barrels per day.

• The Agogo Integrated West Hub Development, scheduled for 2026, set to enhance deepwater output.

• The Kaminho Deepwater Project, anticipated to start production in 2028.

• The New Gas Consortium project, Angola’s first non-associated gas venture, aiming to debut in 2026.

• Upcoming exploration in the Etosha-Okavango Basin, and expansion into the onshore Kwanza Basin by independent oil operators.

A new offshore licensing round in 2025 will further expand opportunities, offering 10 blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela Basins, reinforcing Angola’s commitment to transparency, competitiveness, and resource optimization.

A Vision for Inclusive Growth and Policy Certainty

Since launching a six-year licensing strategy in 2019, Angola has awarded 41 concessions to a diverse mix of international majors and regional players. Minister Azevedo has also introduced innovative programs such as:

• The Permanent Offer Program for consistent acreage access.

• The Incremental Production Initiative (2024) to extend the life of mature fields and stimulate reinvestment.

These strategies are already bearing fruit. ExxonMobil recently announced a new discovery at the Likembe-01 well, the first major find under the new incremental production framework.

As Angola works to diversify its energy base, the Gas Master Plan is expected to anchor national strategy for the next 30 years. The GMP will link upstream investments to domestic demand centers, fostering local industrialization, energy access, and value chain growth.

Honoring a Lifetime of Service

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, lauded the medal as not only a personal honor for Minister Azevedo but a symbolic milestone for African energy leadership.

“Minister Azevedo has consistently demonstrated that energy development is a pathway to peace, progress and shared prosperity. The Chamber sees the medal not only as a personal honor, but as a symbol of what energy leadership can accomplish when tied to national development,” Ayuk stated.

Angola Oil & Gas 2025: A Defining Moment

This September, as Angola celebrates its 50th year of independence, Minister Azevedo will deliver a keynote address at the Angola Oil & Gas 2025 Conference in Luanda. His speech will explore the pivotal role oil and gas have played in national transformation and outline a vision for the next five decades—one centered on policy certainty, gender- and youth-driven innovation, regional integration, and infrastructure development.

This flagship event will serve as a critical platform for showcasing Angola’s ambitious roadmap for hydrocarbon-led growth and will draw global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders seeking to partner with Angola’s thriving energy sector.

Looking Ahead: Building the Next 50 Years

As Angola stands on the threshold of a new chapter, Minister Azevedo’s leadership continues to inspire confidence in the country’s energy future. His pragmatic yet bold reforms have created a sustainable model for leveraging oil and gas to promote peace, socio-economic development, and international cooperation.

The African Energy Chamber and its partners remain committed to working alongside Angola to deliver on this promise, ensuring that the country’s vast natural wealth becomes a cornerstone of national unity and global leadership in energy.