Cabinda: President Joo Louren§o has arrived in the northern Province of Cabinda for a two-day working visit, with the primary focus on inaugurating the first phase of the Cabinda Refinery. This visit marks a significant development for the region, as the refinery is set to produce 30,000 barrels of oil daily, positioning Cabinda as the first area outside Luanda to have such an industrial facility.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Louren§o, accompanied by First Lady Ana Dias Louren§o, was received by provincial governor Suzana de Abreu and other executive members at the airport. The visit is part of the president's open presidency cycle, during which he intends to engage with local authorities to discuss the political and socio-economic landscape of the province.
Following the inauguration, President Louren§o will visit the Caio deepwater terminal to assess the progress of its construction. The agenda also includes inaugurating the new headquarters of the Cabinda provincial government and holding a meeting with local officials to evaluate public works projects across the province, such as schools, roads, and healthcare facilities.
President Louren§o is expected to return to Luanda on Tuesday afternoon.
Cabinda Province, located in the far north of Angola, is a strategically significant region due to its economic contributions and unique geographic features. It covers approximately 7,283 square kilometers and has an estimated population of over 800,000. Bordered by the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean, Cabinda is responsible for around 60% of Angola's oil production, primarily from offshore sources.
The province also holds substantial agricultural potential, with resources like bananas, cassava, cocoa, coffee, and rice, alongside timber. Despite its significant reserves of phosphate and manganese, these remain largely untapped. Environmentally, Cabinda is home to the Maiombe Forest, one of Angola's seven natural wonders and the second-largest tropical forest globally, underscoring its vital role in biodiversity conservation.