Angola spent approximately $817 million on liquid fuel imports during the first quarter of 2026, purchasing more than 1.02 million metric tons—a 23% decrease from the previous quarter.
Despite the decrease, the country remains heavily dependent on foreign sources to ensure its energy supply, with imports accounting for 82.7% of the total fuel supply.
Consumption was dominated by diesel, accounting for 52.4% of the total, followed by gasoline at 32.9%. Other derivatives, such as fuel oil, MGO, Jet A1, and kerosene, accounted for a smaller share of the overall volume.
Domestic production remained relatively low. The Luanda Refinery accounted for 15.9% of supply, while the Cabinda Topping Plant represented only 1.4%, in a context constrained by technical shutdowns for maintenance.
This scenario highlights the structural constraints of Angola’s refining sector, which continues to be unable to keep pace with domestic demand, despite ongoing investments to boost production capacity.
In the distribution segment, Sonangol maintains a dominant position, accounting for over 60% of sales. It is followed by operators such as Pumangol and Sonangalp, in a market that remains highly concentrated.
The sector’s structure reflects the dominance of the state-owned oil company, even with the growing presence of private operators in the distribution network.
In the cooking gas (LPG) segment, more than 108,000 metric tons were placed on the market, with Angola LNG accounting for the majority of the supply. Nevertheless, sales fell by 13.5% compared to the previous quarter, with Luanda remaining the main consumption hub.
In the lubricants market, approximately 9,700 tons were sold, with imports accounting for over 86% of the total, highlighting limitations in domestic production in this specific segment.
In terms of infrastructure, Angola has significant storage capacity, bolstered by the Barra do Dande Ocean Terminal, as well as a network of over 1,200 fuel stations, mostly operated by private entities.
Despite logistical advances, first-quarter data confirm that external dependence remains one of the main structural challenges facing Angola’s energy sector, at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen its autonomy in fuel refining and distribution.
Source: Jornal Mercado
