Luanda: The President of the Republic of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko, arrived in the province of Benguela on Wednesday as part of a 72-hour working visit to Angola, where he will inspect the construction works of the Lobito Refinery. The visit is a response to an invitation from Angola's President Joo Manuel Gon§alves Louren§o, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
According to Angola Press News Agency, upon his arrival at Paulo Teixeira Jorge Catumbela International Airport, President Boko was welcomed by members of the central government and the provincial governor of Benguela, Manuel Nunes Jºnior. During his stay, he visited Republic Square to pay tribute to the late President Ant³nio Agostinho Neto and signed the guestbook, followed by a meeting at the Presidential Palace with Joo Louren§o.
On the same day, ministerial delegations from both countries convened to sign various bilateral agreements. President Boko also visited the National Assembly for a courtesy meeting with Speaker Ado de Almeida and attended the Angola-Botswana Business and Economic Forum, where he called for the elimination of trade barriers and the establishment of efficient channels to facilitate business between Angola and Botswana.
The Lobito Refinery, a critical component of this visit, is projected to process 200,000 barrels of oil daily, contributing to Angola's self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products. The refinery, with a budget exceeding $6.27 billion, is expected to begin production next year, with full completion projected for 2029. By January of this year, Sonangol had already invested approximately $1.4 billion into the project while seeking additional partners. The construction employs 2,727 direct workers, with significant local involvement and a global workforce contributing from China, the United States, India, and Lebanon.
Additionally, a significant civil engineering endeavor is underway 20 kilometers from the refinery site. This project involves constructing a system to capture water from the Catumbela River, ensuring a supply of 400 liters per second for the refinery's operations, thereby securing its water autonomy.
