Angola’s first vehicle assembly plant opens in Luanda

Opaia Group has launched Opaia Motors, opening what it describes as Angola’s only operational vehicle assembly plant at a facility in the Zona Economica Especial in Luanda with installed capacity to produce 22,000 light vehicles and 1,000 buses annually. The inauguration on 20 January was attended by government ministers and representatives from international partners including Volvo, Chery, Dongyang and Afreximbank, with the Angolan government recognising the project as a national priority for industrial and economic development.

Opaia Motors currently employs more than 1,500 workers and aims to expand to 3,500 direct jobs, with a focus on technical and vocational training. The company said the facility will support domestic supply chain development and technology transfer from international manufacturers.

Agostinho Kapaia, Chairman and Chief Executive of Opaia Group, said: “The launch of Opaia Motors represents a major milestone, not only for the Opaia Group, but also for Angola. We are proud to be in step with the country’s industrial and sustainability goals and to be directly addressing Angola’s mobility needs.”

Kapaia added: “By providing locally produced vehicles, we are directly addressing the clear need for affordable, fit for purpose, transport solutions.” The company said it has ambitions to produce electric vehicles in future.

Source: PR Newswires