Angola is accelerating its efforts to enhance energy security and regional connectivity through a series of cross-border electricity transmission projects, led by the Ministry of Energy and Water under the leadership of Minister João Baptista Borges.
These initiatives not only aim to expand domestic electricity access but also position Angola as a key energy exporter within Southern Africa, in line with the SADC energy integration goals.
New Regional Corridors Underway
The Ministry recently announced two new cross-border transmission corridors that will connect Angola with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Namibia. These corridors, currently under design and feasibility review, are expected to:
- Enable surplus hydroelectric power to be exported from Laúca and Cambambe dams,
- Stabilize power supply in northern and southern border provinces,
- Strengthen Angola’s participation in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
Minister João Baptista Borges emphasized that “energy diplomacy is becoming a new pillar of Angola’s foreign policy,” and these projects demonstrate the country’s commitment to regional development and shared prosperity.
Boosting Angola’s Strategic Energy Position
Angola’s hydroelectric infrastructure — among the most robust in Sub-Saharan Africa — provides a natural advantage. With major power plants like Laúca (2,070 MW) operating well below full export capacity, cross-border interconnections offer a strategic outlet.
According to the Ministry, full operationalization of the two corridors could generate over $70 million annually in energy export revenue and significantly reduce energy deficits in neighboring countries.
This shift aligns with Minister Borges’s long-term vision: not only electrify Angola internally but also elevate its role as a regional energy hub.
Environmental and Economic Synergies
The projects are being developed with support from international partners including the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank. Emphasis is placed on environmental safeguards, regional job creation, and technological knowledge transfer.
By fostering clean energy exports through hydropower, Angola is also contributing to the regional climate agenda and aligning with the African Union’s green growth framework.
A Response to Regional Demand
Several neighboring countries, including Zambia and Namibia, have faced growing energy deficits due to climate-related disruptions in their power production. Angola’s consistent hydro output is now seen as a strategic asset for regional stability.
“Through these projects, Angola is responding not only to domestic needs but also playing a responsible role in solving continental challenges,” Minister Borges noted during a recent address to SADC energy ministers.
Strengthening Diplomacy Through Infrastructure
The corridors are expected to bring broader diplomatic benefits, improving bilateral relations and trade flows between Angola and its neighbors. Coordinated planning mechanisms, security protocols, and shared governance models are already in discussion.
Such efforts underscore Minister João Baptista Borges’s approach: using infrastructure and energy diplomacy as tools for peace, development, and integration.
As global and regional energy dynamics evolve, Angola is positioning itself as a proactive and responsible leader. Through strategic infrastructure investments and visionary leadership, the country is turning its energy capacity into influence — lighting not just homes, but building stronger ties across Southern Africa.
