• Its main activities cover the exploration, research, development, production, transportation, marketing, refining and conversion of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, as well as the supply, storage and distribution of their derivatives, including petrochemical activities, and may be carried out independently or in conjunction with other companies.
  • Sonangol is committed to becoming a benchmark in the African market and fulfilling the task of becoming an integrated, competitive company and a force for change in Angola.

Sonangol — Sociedade Nacional de Combustíveis de Angola, EP is a state-owned company in the Angolan oil sector dedicated to the exploration of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in Angola’s subsoil and continental shelf, responsible for the exploration, production and manufacture of Angolan hydrocarbons for transport and commercialisation.

Operating in an efficient, safe and transparent manner, we are committed to environmental protection, promoting the harmonious development of the country and strengthening the sustainable use of the country’s oil and gas resources.

Sonangol Enterprise

The origin of Sonangol

Shortly before Angola‘s independence, a working group was set up within the oil industry to support the industry and mobilise Angolans working in the sector. The task force aims to develop a strategy that would allow oil production exploration activities to continue after independence is declared. Subsequently, the working group gave way to the National Petroleum Industry Reform Commission.
In 1976, the ANGOL Sociedade de Lubrificantes e Combustiveis, Sarl was nationalised, creating Sonangol and the National Oil Agency, which came under the Ministry of Industry. Founded in 1953, ANGOL is a subsidiary of SACOR, engaged in the marketing and distribution of fuels, lubricants and liquefied gas in Angola.

Decree No. 52/76 establishes Sonangol – Sociedade Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola – as a state-owned company dedicated to managing the exploration of Angola’s hydrocarbon resources. However, despite the fact that the Angolan National Company is its sole shareholder, Sonangol has always been managed like a private company in accordance with strict performance standards to ensure overall efficiency and productivity.

Shortly after the establishment of Sonangol, in order to establish the infrastructure to ensure the smooth operation of Sonangol, a management committee was formed, followed by the formation of the Sonangol Central Core.

After independence, several companies operating locally left the country, leaving infrastructure and staff behind. As a result, Sonangol purchased the facilities from Texaco, Fina and Shell and took over the facilities from Mobil under the agreement. In the process, Sonangol also absorbed former workers from these oil companies who were looking for jobs.

Due to the lack of qualified human resources in the hydrocarbon sector, Sonangol focused on training its employees, with the first group of scholarship recipients going to Italy under the support of Eni-Grupo Italiano de Petroleos and the second group going to Algeria. The return of these students in the late 1970s marked a new era for Sonangol.

From company to group

Recognising the new business opportunities, Sonangol was quick to form partnerships to implement business units that would contribute to Angola’s development and Sonangol’s own expansion. The company focuses on oil and gas resource management, environmental protection and industrial safety, and has established a business system around oil, including more than 30 subsidiaries and subsidiaries.

With the characteristics of a mixed economy company, Sonangol has expanded its field of activity and is now an independent multinational company.

About Sonangol Enterprise

Sonangol, EP, founded in 1976, is a company exploring for liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons in Angola’s subsoil and continental shelf. Its activities, carried out independently or jointly with domestic and foreign companies, cover the exploration, research, development, production, storage, marketing, transportation and refining of hydrocarbons and their derivatives.