03 Sep Interview with Dr. Adilson Mangueira Nelumba, Chairman and CEO, Copia Group of Companies, Angola
Business Focus (BF): Since its founding in 2014, CGC has grown into one of Angola’s leading names in engineering and construction, delivering high-impact projects across infrastructure, geo-sciences, and energy. What is your vision and priorities for CGC’s next chapter, both in Angola and across the African Continent?
AMN: My name is Adilson Mangueira Nelumba. I am 42 years old and hold a degree in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Namibia, currently known as Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). The Copia Group of Companies was founded in 2014, initially to consolidate all the group’s companies, as several had been established to provide different types of services.
However, our main focus is on supervision, oversight, and inspection of civil works. These activities may seem similar, but there are distinctions. Oversight presupposes a contract, meaning we oversee the contractual relationship between two entities. Supervision involves engineers who monitor and supervise activities on-site. Inspections relate to the design and manufacture of equipment.
Copia initially specialized in inspection. At the beginning of our operations, we worked on the Laúca Dam project, specifically on the transmission lines. We oversaw the line opening, the entire transmission phase, and also the demining of the Laúca area. Laúca is the second-largest dam in Angola, with approximately 2,000 megawatts.
We have a clear vision. Copia is currently focused on four main areas. The first is supervision, oversight, and inspection of civil construction projects. The second is supervision and inspection of oil, gas, and biofuels projects. Nonetheless, we have not yet conducted inspections in the oil and gas sector, as we do not have the technical capacity or the specialized personnel to monitor and inspect oil platforms yet. This is not our core business, but we can handle supervision and enforcement across the entire upstream chain.
The oil industry is divided into three segments: upstream, midstream, and downstream. Upstream involves exploration, development, and production. Midstream covers refineries, where crude oil is transformed into refined products, and downstream refers to distribution. Our focus is on the upstream sector, where we cover almost the entire chain. Our expertise lies in exploration, geology, and geophysics, as well as pre-development, development, and production. While we are not the ultimate experts, we work with international partners who support us in these areas.
We are also active in the mining sector, where we already conduct inspections and supervise mining projects. A few years ago, the National Agency of Natural Resources was established, serving a similar role to the National Agency of Petroleum and Biofuels.
Although we have not yet made our formal presentation to this Agency, we plan to do so in the near future. Just as we do in construction, we will also conduct inspections in mining. This area is very similar to the work we are doing at Caculo Cabaça, as mining also involves excavations, geology, and geophysics.
We have technical personnel to perform these services and to inspect mining equipment. We also develop projects in these three areas: the oil industry (upstream), the construction industry, and the mining sector.
Our ambition is to become the number one Angolan company in supervision, oversight, and, in some areas, inspection with national capital. Several companies are operating in this field, but competition compels us to take on this challenge. Our goal is to become the leading company and the technical benchmark in supervision, oversight, and inspection across the four previously mentioned areas by 2027.
By 2030, we aim to become the leading company in Southern Africa, within the SADC Region. We are on the right track. Our flagship project is Caculo Cabaça. We thank the Ministry of Energy and Water for trusting and investing in an Angolan company. A decade later, that confidence has enabled us to become a leading firm, now expanding into new sectors, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening local content.
BF: Angola is undergoing a period of large-scale infrastructure expansion and renewed momentum in its oil and gas exploration activities. How do you see Angola’s infrastructure and energy sectors evolving in the next five years, and how is CGC positioning itself to lead in these high-impact areas?
AMN: Let me begin with an overview of developments in Angola over the past 25 years. Angola was embroiled in a civil war that ended in 2002. The Government’s first strategy was to reconnect the Country, which had been deeply divided. At that time, the priority was infrastructure, especially roads.
From 2002 to 2015, national reconstruction became the most important and strategic focus. We even had a National Reconstruction Office and a Special Works Office, structures created specifically for countries emerging from conflict. This period was marked by a strong boom in construction, with the development of roads, railways, airports, and new urban centers. It was also the period in which my professional training was centered on construction.
After this initial reconstruction phase, a new paradigm emerged around 2012–2013: improving the quality of life for the population. This shift brought heavy investments in the energy and water sectors. The aim was clear: to bring electricity and water to the people. That was the context in which the Copia Group of Companies was born, strategically focusing on power generation.
Until then, Angola had only one national electricity company, ENE (National Electricity Company). The State later restructured the sector, dividing it into generation, transmission, and distribution. Generation required the largest investments, and Angola made significant progress, particularly in renewable energy and hydropower.
Projects like Laúca and Caculo Cabaça became milestones. Today, Angola produces between 3,000 and 4,000 megawatts of hydropower, but only about 20% of this capacity is consumed. Angola stands out in Africa for its ability to generate clean energy, despite not yet having a strong industrial base.
The Government also expanded investments in water distribution through treatment plants and other projects. These efforts in energy and water, which began around 2013, are ongoing and are expected to continue until 2030.
At the same time, Angola has started to focus again on transportation. Today, the Lobito corridor, the new airport, and the airport city are part of this strategy, showing the government’s broader vision for national development.
In this journey, Copia has positioned itself as a significant player in the energy sector. We were part of two of the largest power generation projects in Angola, Laúca and Caculo Cabaça. We acknowledge the support of Brazil and Brazilian companies, particularly Odebrecht, which enabled us to demonstrate our capabilities at Laúca.
Brazil was among the first countries to recognize Angola’s independence, and bilateral relations remain strong. We also recognize the contributions of Portugal and China, whose significant investments in Angola have provided important opportunities for learning and growth.
Looking ahead, our Company intends to expand into supervision, oversight, and inspection within the transportation sector. We are preparing to take part in the projects being developed by the Ministry of Transport and its associated companies, both public and private. Our strategy is to guarantee quality and reliability, which is exactly what supervision and inspection provide.
Today, Angola has the Regulatory Institute for Construction and Public Works (IRCOP), which licenses companies to perform inspection activities.
We are fully recognized and licensed, both nationally and in line with international requirements. This is vital because foreign investors want assurance that Angolan companies meet the highest standards. Angola has already trained many engineers and construction professionals, creating enormous potential for the future.
In short, Angola has paved a remarkable path: first reconstruction, then energy and water, and now transportation. Copia has been part of this process, and our goal is to continue contributing to the country’s progress while strengthening partnerships with national and international companies.
BF: Could you share more details about the upcoming Oil and Gas Summit in September 2025 in Luanda and how your Company will be involved?
AMN: This question directly relates to my professional trajectory. My career was shaped at Sonangol, a Company that I am confident will remain one of the world’s most important players for many years to come, both in Angola and internationally. I began there as an exploration technician, and everything I know originated at Sonangol.
I am grateful to the colleagues who welcomed me, some of whom are no longer with us, and to the Organization as a whole. Sonangol’s work culture and organizational standards are on par with the best globally. Having worked with American, German, Chinese, and other international companies, I can affirm that Sonangol stands out in culture, discipline, and professionalism.
That experience divided my professional life into two clear phases: before Sonangol and after Sonangol. It transformed me from a student into a professional able to contribute at forums such as Angola Oil & Gas. I also acknowledge the important role of the National Oil and Gas Agency (ANPG).
Previously, Sonangol acted as both operator and concessionaire; later, those functions were transferred. Recently, my team and I presented the services of the Copia Group to ANPG, and it was significant to see that most of those in the room were former colleagues.
Both Sonangol and ANPG have played a central role in advancing local content. Today, we work within Presidential Decree 271/20, which establishes the Legal Framework for Local Content in Petroleum Operations. This framework finally opens the oil and gas sector to Angolan companies, provided they are organized and compliant. At Copia, we meet these requirements: transparent accounting, tax compliance, all necessary licenses, and approval under ANPG’s vetting process. This is essential, as petroleum is a highly specialized industry. For us, being authorized to provide services confirms our credibility and seriousness.
Our main activities in oil and gas are supervision and oversight, particularly in the upstream segment of exploration and production. The only service we do not yet provide is inspection, which demands advanced capabilities given the complexity of oil equipment and operations.
It is also important to highlight the role of international partners. Last year, Angola received a historic visit from the President of the United States, which offered Angolan companies the opportunity to present themselves at the highest level.
The visit demonstrated that Angola is ready to be a credible partner in the global economy. The United States has been a global leader for more than a century, driving technology and shaping the modern world, and Angola continues to learn from that leadership.
Regarding Angola Oil & Gas, last year, we attended as delegates, observing the event and learning from its dynamics. This year, however, we are participating actively, showcasing the Copia Group brand at what I consider the most professional oil and gas conference in Angola.
It is a vital platform for the industry, and we are determined to present ourselves properly. The oil and gas sector is demanding but also technologically advanced, constantly adapting to challenges such as climate change.
It is often overlooked how much oil has contributed to human progress. In earlier centuries, cities were lit with whale oil, which required hunting whales and threatened an intelligent species. Petroleum changed that reality, enabling the development of kerosene and transforming modern life.
Over time, exploration technologies have advanced from 500 meters to more than 5,000 meters in the pre-salt fields, overcoming geological barriers while upholding strict safety and environmental standards. Like aviation, the oil industry places safety and quality at its core, and this deserves greater public understanding.
Oil is a global commodity with a presence in nearly every aspect of modern life, from plastics to transportation. In Angola, it accounts for more than 75% of GDP, even though the country relies largely on renewable sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind for its own energy consumption.
This balance reflects government strategy, but it also highlights the need for energy literacy. Angolans must understand the role of oil, its contribution to development, and how it can coexist with renewable energy. Oil was central to Angola’s recovery after years of conflict, and it continues to drive growth today.
For Copia, participation in Angola Oil & Gas is more than a business opportunity. It symbolizes the resilience of the Angolan people. Copia reflects that resilience: we are prepared, we have the technical expertise, and we are ready to prove our capabilities to the Industry. We invite companies, investors, and readers of USA Today to connect with us. We maintain an active presence on social media, especially LinkedIn, and welcome dialogue and collaboration. This year’s participation will be our opportunity to demonstrate that Copia, though still a young Company, is ready to contribute meaningfully to Angola’s most important sector.