11 Nov Interview with Adilson Mangueira Nelumba, Chairman and CEO, Copia Group of Companies
Can you give us a brief description of Copia Group of Companies (CGC) and its current priorities?
The Copia Group of Companies was founded in 2014. It was initially established to consolidate all the group’s companies, as several had been set up to provide different types of services. Copia Group initially specialized in inspection. At the beginning of our operations, we worked on the Laúca Dam project, specifically on transmission lines. We oversaw the line opening, the entire transmission phase and the demining of the Laúca area. Laúca is the second-largest dam in Angola, with a capacity of approximately 2,000 megawatts.
Adilson Mangueira Nelumba, Chairman and CEO, Copia Group of Companies
Copia Group 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. We have not yet conducted inspections in the oil and gas sector because we lack the technical capacity and specialized personnel to monitor and inspect oil platforms. While not our core business, we can also handle supervision and enforcement across the entire upstream chain. 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 on-site activities. Inspections relate to the design and manufacturing of equipment.
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. Downstream refers to distribution. Our focus is on the upstream sector, where we cover almost the entire value 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 develop projects in the upstream oil industry, 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, and our 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 and the Southern African Development Community. 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 that is now expanding into new sectors. Our success reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening local content.
How has Angola’s focus on infrastructure shaped its rise as a regional powerhouse?
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 the time, the priority was to develop infrastructure, especially roads. From 2002 to 2015, national reconstruction became the most important and strategic focus. We had a national reconstruction office and a special works office created specifically for countries emerging from conflict. This period was marked by a strong boom in construction, with rapid development of roads, railways, airports and new urban centers. It was also the period in which my professional training became centered on construction.
After this initial reconstruction phase, a new paradigm emerged around 2012-2013, which involved improving the quality of life for the population. This shift saw heavy investments in the energy and water sectors. The aim was clear; Angola wanted to bring electricity and water to the people. It was in this context that Copia Group of Companies was born, with a strategic focus on power generation. Up until this time, Angola only had one national electricity company, Empresa Nacional de Electricidade de Angola. The state later restructured the sector, dividing it into generation, transmission and distribution. Generation required the largest investments. Angola made significant progress, particularly in renewable energy and hydropower. Projects such as Laúca and Caculo Cabaça became milestones.
Today, Angola produces between 3,000 megawatts 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. Each of these projects highlights the government’s broader vision for national development.
What role is CGC playing in Angola’s new phase of economic and industrial 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 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, 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 and created 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.
How has your impressive career trajectory been influenced by your experience at Sonangol?
I hold a degree in civil engineering from the Polytechnic University of Namibia, currently known as Namibia University of Science and Technology. 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. 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 around the world. Having worked with American, German, Chinese and other international companies, I can affirm that Sonangol stands out in culture, discipline and professionalism. You can divide 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 Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis (ANPG).
Previously, Sonangol acted as both operator and concessionaire, with the latter function later transferred. Recently, my team and I presented Copia Group’s services to ANPG. 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 established a legal framework for local content in petroleum operations. This policy finally opened the oil and gas sector to Angolan companies, provided they are organized and compliant. At Copia Group, we meet these requirements. We remain transparent and accountable. We maintain tax compliance and hold all necessary licenses. We have been approved through ANPG’s vetting process. This is essential; petroleum is a highly specialized industry. Being authorized to provide services confirms our credibility and seriousness.
In what ways has CGC promoted Angola’s reputation as a competitive energy player on the global stage?
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 US 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. We attended Angola Oil & Gas as delegates in 2024, observing the event and learning from its dynamics. In 2025, we actively participated, showcasing the CGC brand at what I consider the most professional oil and gas conference in Angola. Angola Oil & Gas is a vital platform for the industry, and we were determined to present ourselves properly.
For Copia Group, participation in Angola Oil & Gas is more than a business opportunity. It symbolizes the resilience of the Angolan people, and Copia Group reflects that resilience. We are prepared with technical expertise and are ready to demonstrate our capabilities to the industry. We invite companies, investors and the 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 was our opportunity to demonstrate that Copia Group — though still a young company — is ready to contribute meaningfully to Angola’s most important sector.
How has Angola’s oil and gas industry shaped its economic and social trajectory over the last century?
It is often overlooked how much oil has contributed to human progress. While the oil and gas sector is demanding, it is also technologically advanced. We must constantly adapt to the world’s largest challenges, such as climate change. 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, upstream 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; 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, the oil sector accounts for more than 75% of our gross domestic product, 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 the oil industry, 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.