Ondjila Green targets 22,000 electric vehicles, 2,000 charging points and nationwide expansion as Angola accelerates its industrial and energy transition.
By Ajong Mbapndah L
Angola’s ambitions to transform its transport sector and reduce dependence on imported fuels have received a major boost with the launch of Ondjila Green, an electric mobility initiative spearheaded by OPAIA Group that envisions investments of up to $2.4 billion over five years.
Unveiled during the second Angola Hub Transport and Logistics Summit, held from September 28 to 30 at the Talatona Convention Center in Luanda, the project represents an ambitious effort to connect domestic vehicle assembly with charging infrastructure, cleaner transportation and economic diversification.
The launch was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between OPAIA Group, Angola’s Ministry of Transport and the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Angola. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in structuring and developing the project, bringing together private-sector expertise and public institutions to support its phased implementation.
Through Ondjila Green, OPAIA Group is positioning itself at the forefront of Angola’s emerging electric mobility industry, with plans to develop charging infrastructure, encourage electric vehicle adoption and create an ecosystem involving transport operators, energy companies, investors and public institutions.
A $2.4 Billion Vision for Electric Mobility
At the heart of Ondjila Green is an ambitious five-year expansion strategy targeting Angola’s 21 provinces and 164 municipalities. The project envisages the deployment of 22,000 electric vehicles, 2,000 charging points and 240 public charging stations, supported by 240 megawatts of contracted power.
With projected cumulative investment of $2.4 billion, the initiative could become one of Angola’s most significant private-sector-led electric mobility undertakings if its financing and implementation targets are achieved.
Project estimates suggest that widespread adoption could reduce transport fares by approximately 40%, eliminate around 320,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually and generate more than 2,800 jobs.
OPAIA Group also projects potential annual fiscal benefits of between $1.8 billion and $2.4 billion once the initiative reaches full operation, largely through reduced fuel imports and subsidies. These figures remain projections dependent on successful implementation and the scale of electric vehicle adoption.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of Angola’s heavy dependence on imported petroleum products despite its status as a major African oil producer. According to figures presented with the project, the country imports approximately 75% to 80% of the gasoline and diesel it consumes, at an estimated annual cost of $4.8 billion, alongside roughly $3 billion in fuel subsidies.
For OPAIA Group, these challenges present an opportunity to reshape the economics of transportation while taking advantage of Angola’s electricity generation capacity, estimated at between five and six gigawatts, with hydropower accounting for approximately 60% to 70%.
Luanda Pilot to Test the Ambition
The first phase will begin in Luanda, where OPAIA Group plans to introduce 1,000 electric vehicles across four priority transport routes, supported by five to six stations and approximately 12 charging points.
The pilot carries an estimated investment of $3 million, with projected fuel subsidy savings of $3.5 million over three years. Its performance will be an important test of the project’s commercial viability, operational requirements and potential for expansion into other provinces.
Beyond vehicle deployment, the initiative will require coordination among electricity providers, transport operators, financial institutions and government agencies. Charging reliability, affordability, infrastructure development and financing will be central to translating the project’s ambitious targets into operational results.
Connecting Vehicle Assembly with Infrastructure
Ondjila Green forms part of the broader strategy of OPAIA Motors, the automotive division of OPAIA Group, which is developing vehicle assembly and sales operations in Angola.
The company’s industrial complex in the Special Economic Zone of Icolo e Bengo has a stated installed production capacity of 22,000 light vehicles and 1,000 buses annually, providing an industrial foundation for the group’s automotive ambitions.
By linking vehicle assembly with charging infrastructure, OPAIA Group hopes to address two important challenges facing electric mobility in Africa: access to suitable vehicles and the availability of reliable charging facilities.
The strategy also places industrialisation, technology transfer and employment creation at the centre of the initiative, with opportunities for local businesses to participate in vehicle services, maintenance, infrastructure development and associated supply chains.
Beyond Angola: An African Ambition
Although Angola will serve as the initial market, OPAIA Group sees Ondjila Green as a platform with potential applications across other African countries seeking to modernise transport systems and reduce their dependence on imported fuels.
The initiative reflects growing interest in electric mobility across the continent, where rising fuel costs, urbanisation and the need for affordable public transportation are encouraging governments and businesses to explore alternatives to conventional vehicles.
For Angola, the challenge will be turning a promising investment vision into an economically viable transport system capable of delivering measurable benefits to commuters, businesses and public finances.
Established in 2002, OPAIA Group has developed diversified interests spanning construction, fertilisers, mining, finance and automotive operations, with activities across four continents. Its expansion into electric mobility adds another dimension to the group’s ambitions to contribute to Angola’s industrial transformation.
With institutional cooperation now formalised through the memorandum and the Luanda pilot identified as the starting point, attention will turn to financing arrangements, implementation timelines and the partnerships required to deliver the project.
If successfully implemented, Ondjila Green could help establish Angola as an emerging player in Africa’s electric mobility industry while offering a practical model for connecting domestic manufacturing, energy infrastructure and more affordable transportation.