In a groundbreaking shift toward energy independence and economic self-determination, Zambia has secured a 26% equity stake in Angola’s Benguela (Lobito) oil refinery, signaling a new chapter in intra-African collaboration. The deal, announced by energy ministers from both countries, marks Zambia’s bold transition from a fuel-importing nation to a strategic co-owner in one of the continent’s most promising energy projects.
The refinery, currently under construction in Angola’s coastal city of Lobito, is expected to become operational by 2026. Its completion will be paired with the Lobito–Lusaka fuel pipeline, which will directly connect the refinery to Zambia—cutting transportation costs, reducing dependency on overseas imports, and enhancing fuel security for one of Southern Africa’s landlocked economies.
From Passive Consumer to Strategic Partner
Zambia’s participation in the refinery goes far beyond fuel procurement. By purchasing a 26% ownership stake, Zambia becomes an equity stakeholder in production and distribution—an unprecedented step for a country that has historically been at the end of the fuel supply chain. Energy Minister Peter Kapala described the move as “a turning point in our pursuit of energy sovereignty and regional value creation.”
“This isn’t just about fuel. It’s about control, ownership, and building an Africa that keeps its value chains on the continent,” Kapala said.
Energy Security Meets Economic Vision
With the new refinery and pipeline in place, Zambia stands to benefit from:
- Lower fuel prices due to shorter supply routes
- Job creation through refinery operations and pipeline maintenance
- Reduced forex demand, as the need for fuel imports from Europe or the Gulf declines
- Stronger regional trade, in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The deal also aligns with Africa’s broader push for local beneficiation—ensuring that natural resources are refined and processed locally, rather than being exported in raw form.
A Blueprint for a New Africa
The Zambia-Angola partnership reflects a new model of pan-African development: equity over aid, cooperation over dependency. It shifts the narrative from Africa as a recipient of foreign investment to Africa as a proactive investor in its own future.
“This is not just an oil deal,” said regional economist Dr. Naledi Mwamba. “It’s a test case in how African countries can break the cycle of dependency and lead on their own terms. If this model is adopted in agriculture, mining, and telecoms, it could rewrite the continent’s development story.”
Next Steps
The construction of the Lobito–Lusaka pipeline is expected to begin in early 2026, following the refinery’s commissioning. Financing agreements are reportedly being finalized between Zambia, Angola, and several regional financial institutions, with support from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
Zambia’s investment in Angola’s refinery is more than a strategic move—it’s a symbolic pivot. A pivot toward ownership. Toward African-led development. And toward a continent determined to create, refine, and distribute its own wealth.
As Zambia co-owns its energy future, it sends a message that’s louder than oil: Africa’s future is in African hands.
Exactly how it should be. Pan African economic cooperation in trade and commerce is the only way to throw off the shackles of dependency, and to become truly independent!
Guyz I was in Angola during covid, petrol was selling at k5 that time in areas close capital.
The in Cabinda, the kind of island, we got free fuel twice from people who over paid and had extra fuel left in fima gerican.
My question was why why why Zambia doesn’t drive on Angola petrol? A nearest town from Zambezi district to Angolan town with is about 100km. Just a road of 100km can open up for fuel tankers.
10 PF fuel trucks per week is enough for Zambian economy.
This is a game changer and we expect fuel prices to drop, no excuses for fuel prices to increase if this initiative is properly managed.
Ultimately, well done to the govt. We will criticise where they fail and we will them praise where they achieve. This is a move worthy of praise. Twalumba!!!
Economic self-determination kikikikiki. Its a good start in as far as it means obtaining the oil from a much more financially logical supplier-yeah nearer than from Saudi Arabia. However its not as ground breaking or lets see, how else have you put it: a new model of pan-African development: because it isnt the first such venture we have been involved in.
Zambia already co-owns once Africa’s biggest energy company the ZRA on the Zambezi. Zambia and Tanzania also co-own the TAZAMA pipeline. Zambia and Italian company, AGIP used to own the Indeni Oil refinery on a 50 50 share equity until 2009 when Zambia bought them off-and then killed it off-lol. The lesson is unshackle ourselves from colonial era trade ties. Trade within first before you look further.
Positive thinking political leaders like Michael Sata refused to call Zambia a land locked country like you have stated here. It is a land-linked country. That should open our minds to the numerous business ventures (like this one) we could start right here to link Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Rwanda Tanzania, DRC etc. The ruling party should be busy introducing subjects on such in the curriculum to prepare Zambians for this kind of ventures.
Zambia has never ever scored a first. Since 1964, our everything has been going down. Until the new dawn, clad in gloves and doing graphs, gave us a vivid presentational picture of how systematic and methodical our UPND is in ameliorating Zambia’s challenges.
FRESHER, we are full of self praise. It’s like giving yourself a thumbs up hoping to entice others. The Lobito pipeline was birthed way back and it had since died. We are giving ourselves thumbsup owing to the general elections peeping in the pinhole. Where is the natural gas and petroleum pipeline from Beira, Mozambique to Ndola, Zambia? Has the Namibia’s Walvis Bay gas and oil pipeline to Lusaka materialised? Nothing constructive will take off. Don’t buy into it lest you get hypnotized
@The Zambia we want: bakofwaya apaku sonta! I think Lungu was the last to sontapo. UPND have to work hard to emulate those PFs
Positive move by the UPND government!!! This is great news! So glad that while visioneless people are obsessed with trivial news like the venue of a burial, the government quietly working to better Zambia.
This is extremely hilarious from Mary
Just an election Hype see and heard before > nothing is straight forward between the 3 countries
Tikki ,don’t always be the holder of the pen that writes people off. HH is working to improve Zed .
You right but dont you think HH is out of his depth
That is my point
Now I will be giving you power for 3 hours. Clap for me
No better CEO than HH at the helm…….
These opposition are left looking like street traffic light vendors…….. now fighting over the corpse of the late president ,………
No, to compare them to traffic light street vendors is insulting those hard working vendors………
Them are just noise makers, chancers
FWD2041
Finally you have realised HH is a good CEO WHICH doesnt relate to being a good president He is way out of his depth !! give him a corperate to run THEN we wiill all be happy
Imwe Ba Tikki
You used to tarven presidents or illiterate presidents……..
Your expectations of a president are too low , under belt……..
Just watch and learn
We are here
FWD2041
What a great move. Thank you and much appreciated. Zambia and African ownership
This is indeed is an important step towards easing the high fuel costs and all else in the supply chain. We should also explore for oil underneath. Like the Uranium and Gold belt, oil might be waiting for us to gush it out. With plenty of it in Angola and Mozambique – why skip Zambia? How?
Some would believe that the “source” of oil is a refinery. But that is not correct
Obviously it’s put for the semi literate thats where the vote lies
Hehehehe……….
Shares in any part of the fuel chain is a step forward………
You want GRZ to own Angolan oil fields. ???
Maybe if you change the constitution for HH to be life president, we might own Angolan oil fields…..??
FWD2041
Very true Kazembe. The oil may be in Angola and it’s offshore but it belongs to chevron Exxon BP and Total. Sonangol may only have admin rights inland. The capitalists are exploiters to the bone. Africans need to get together and own their resources. Soon the water you drink may not be yours
Masterstroke move by the UPND government led by visionary HH. Even the economy is recovering its lost dynamism of Rupiah Banda’s era.
Here some are so used of mediocre under par leadership, such that ………..
Such developed world country deals are alien to them………..
This is the level of strategic leadership Zambia must get used to , and expect……..
Just watch and learn………
We are here
FWD2041
Here some are so used of mediocre under par presidents , such that ………..
Such developed world country deals are alien to them………..
This is the level of strategic leading Zambia must get used to , and expect……..
Just watch and learn………
We are here
FWD2041
It a pity that Zambia has not properly utilised the fact that we have eight neighbours across our borders. We could this fact to export and import more easily. On top of that we could be a conduit through which our neighbours can trade with each other. Let’s go for it!!!!
But where are the details and facts? How much money did Zambia pay for this “stake” in something that is not yet operational? How much of the 1000km pipeline has been built, up to now? When will it be finished? What is at the Zambian end of the pipeline? A kantemba filling station or a storage facility? It’s as if we say OK here’s an idea. Let’s now hit the tarven and congratulations to everyone for a job done even though job is not even started…
It’s poor reporting. Nowadays you can write any crap and social media will pass it for news. It’s up to you the consumer to determine the truth of what’s being published.
Its the same as the Dual Carriage way Cost
Loadshedding
Exchange rate
Corruption
And now the Lungu debacle
All one sided and
ALL SMOOKE AND MIRRORS
Good news, indeed!
The second coming is also good news
This is a false information.
There is conversations going betwen the two Governement, but they didn,t sign yet an agreement.