- The Angolan Ministry of Energy and Water has promised to implement all the electricity projects.
- João Borges said Angola has prioritised expanding the electricity system to the south and other countries.
The Angolan Ministry of Energy and Water, headed by João Baptista Borges, has promised to implement all the projects already identified in the electricity transmission and distribution field, which will be carried out by a Chinese company.
The minister made the statement on Thursday in Macau, Republic of China, where he participated in the 15th International Investment and Construction Forum.
The Chinese company selected for this purpose has “major” investments worldwide in designing and managing electricity transmission lines.
João Borges said Angola has made expanding the electricity system to the south and to other countries in the region a top priority, with the aim of mitigating the negative effects of climate change.
In an interview with Chinese television in Macau, Borges said that more than 20 billion US dollars have been invested in Angola’s energy and water sectors through China’s credit line.
According to the Angolan minister, the largest funding from that Asian country has been injected into the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric dam construction, the largest in Angola, with 2,170 MW, where a total of 4.5 billion US dollars will be spent.
He added that strengthening friendship ties with the People’s Republic of China is in the interests of the Angolan state. He recalls that 40 years of diplomatic relations were recently celebrated, during which important agreements were signed that reflect the interest in seeing more private investment in Angola, especially in basic infrastructures, on which the country’s economic and social development is based.
The minister added that in sub-Saharan Africa, electricity access rates are below 50 per cent, and particularly in Angola, it is at 43 per cent, intending to raise it to 50 per cent by the end of 2027, benefiting 16 million citizens. For this reason, the minister said, cheaper and green energy is being produced through dams and solar panel technology with the support of China.