Angolan Mineral, Oil & Gas Journal

The Great Illusion of Growth Driven by Crude Oil Exports The Paradox of Prosperity in the Angolan Economy

Paulo Vica — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:20:35 -0300

The paper examines the dilemma faced by Angola, characterized by a lack of economic diversification and dependence on low-complexity products. Despite nearly half a century of political, social, and cultural independence, the country's economy remains excessively concentrated in the oil sector, making it highly vulnerable to external shocks and the volatility of global oil prices. The analyze the impact of productive concentration on the Angolan economy. The results indicate that the Angolan economy is trapped in the 'illusion of economic growth concentrated on crude oil exports,' where the apparent progress driven by these exports keeps the country in a vicious cycle, unable to achieve sustainable development.

A Survey and Characterization of Agricultural Biomass in the Provinces of Cuanza- Norte and Malanje

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0300

Agricultural biomass is a strategic resource to reduce the strong dependence and dominance of hydrocarbons

in the world energy matrix, unlike conventional fuels that cause serious impacts to the environment, agricultural

biomass allows the production of fuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol and SAF with reduced environmental impacts,

which is why its use to diversify the national energy matrix is assumed to be a sustainable management strategy

of the available resources.

The survey and characterization of agricultural biomass in the municipalities of Cacuso, Cangandala and

Kiwaba Nzoji in Malanje province and in the municipalities of Ambaca, Cambambe and Lucala in Cuanza-Norte

province allowed to obtain detailed knowledge of the distribution, composition and density of existing agricultural

biomass, fundamental data for the planning of environmental policies and sustainable use of agricultural resources

and energy diversification.

The Assessment of the Bioenergy Potential of Forest Biomass in the Provinces of Cuanza Norte and Malanje in Angola

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0300

The high dependence on hydrocarbons in the global energy matrix, particularly in Angola, has

caused serious environmental impacts, mainly due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. In this

context, it is necessary to diversify the national energy matrix through the incorporation of renewable

sources, highlighting forest biomass as a strategic alternative for the production of biofuels, such as bio-

oil, bioethanol, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This study aimed to characterize forest biomass

and evaluate its bioenergy potential in the provinces of Cuanza-Norte and Malanje, encompassing the

municipalities of Cambambe, Lucala, Ambaca, Cacuso, Cangandala, and Kiwaba Nzoji. The

methodology integrated field surveys, dendrometric analyses, forest sampling, laboratory procedures,

and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results demonstrated the existence of forest

formations with high energy potential, although some plant types present high moisture and ash content,

requiring complementary drying and pre-treatment processes. Species such as Trichilia dregeana,

Combretum molle, and Jatropha curcas stood out, with significant potential for the production of

biodiesel, charcoal, and solid biomass. Despite spatial and laboratory limitations, the results obtained

confirm the technical viability of using forest biomass as a sustainable alternative for energy

diversification in Angola.