Angola has officially inaugurated a new electrolytic aluminium production facility in the Barra do Dande Free Trade Zone (Bengo province), signalling a major step in the country’s drive to accelerate industrialisation, attract private capital, and diversify beyond traditional economic sectors.

The project is being developed through a collaboration involving Hebei Huatong Wire and Cables Group and its local structure, positioned as part of a wider aluminium industrial park concept designed to unlock long-term manufacturing capacity in the region. The plant is expected to reach an annual output of 120,000 tonnes of electrolytic aluminium, creating a foundation for both domestic supply and future downstream processing industries.

Angola’s President João Lourenço inaugurated the facility and used the occasion to underline a national priority: expanding private investment across all areas of the economy. He stated that initiatives of this scale are critical not only for job creation, especially for Angola’s younger workforce, but also for strengthening the range of products and services that support economic development and long-term resilience.

The investment plan is structured into five phases, with the first phase projected to require approximately $250 million. Alongside industrial capacity, the project is expected to generate around 1,200 jobs, reflecting a strong employment impact tied directly to manufacturing and related support activities.

According to Zhang Wendong, CEO of Huatong Angola, the industrial park represents more than an infrastructure investment, framing it as a commitment to Angola’s future and a contribution toward sustainable development. To support this goal, professional training initiatives and internship programmes are being introduced to develop technical skills and strengthen the capabilities of the next generation of Angolan industry.