Luanda, Sept. 3, 2025 (Lusa) - The Angolan president on Wednesday stressed the importance of oil for the country's economy and development, insisting that producing countries have the right to continue to develop these resources, despite the seriousness of climate change.
"The Angolan Executive recognises the seriousness of climate change across the globe and its increasingly damaging effects on nations and peoples. However, this situation must be addressed by guaranteeing the right of hydrocarbon producing countries like Angola to develop their mineral and hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of their peoples," João Lourenço emphasised.
The Angolan head of state was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 6th edition of the Angola Oil & Gas 2025 International Conference, which is taking place today and Thursday in Talatona, Luanda.
The conference is taking place in the year that Angola celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence, declared on 11 November 1975, a fact that the Angolan head of state recalled several times in his speech, in which he highlighted the importance of the oil sector for the country's economy and development over the years.
Emphasising that the purpose of the nationalists was "to provide a better life for all Angolans", João Lourenço pointed to the contribution of the exploration and production of mineral resources, particularly oil, to the collection of revenue that has supported the country's development.
Angola is the second largest oil producer in Africa, but it also lacks, João Lourenço emphasised, "investment, knowledge transfer and innovation" at a time when the country is trying to combat the decline in production.
The President recalled that during his first term of office, in 2017, legal instruments had been approved to respond to the sector's challenges and create a business environment favourable to attracting investors and he guaranteed that Angola "offers investment conditions that guarantee contractual stability, legal certainty, predictability and a proper return".
He also stressed that the government has made efforts to implement programmes and actions to mitigate this situation, with a special focus on exploration and bidding strategies and attracting new private investment.
"Angola maintains its aspiration to assert itself as a competitive producer of hydrocarbons, making a significant contribution to global energy security, and is committed to the energy transition in Africa and the world," he emphasised.
The Angolan government, he emphasised, advocates the "responsible and sustainable exploitation" of fossil energy resources and the promotion of a renewable energy industry, namely solar, wind and biomass.
The Angolan president recalled that companies in the sector had been instructed to adopt measures to mitigate and compensate for greenhouse gas emissions, including the elimination or reduction of gas flaring, the adoption of less polluting operating equipment, the protection of flora and fauna and the implementation of afforestation and/or reforestation programmes.
João Lourenço also addressed the implementation of local content policies, encouraging the oil sector to take an active role "in creating internship opportunities and promoting access to first jobs for young Angolans, covering the entire value chain of the oil industry".
Also speaking this morning, the executive president of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, praised the reforms introduced by the Angolan government, saying that the industry can thank and repay these efforts by investing more in the country "Oil is going to be part of Angola's future," he emphasised.
RCR/AYLS // AYLS
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