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Opaia Group on Tuesday opened what it says is Angola’s only operating vehicle assembly plant, launching a new unit, Opaia Motors, as the country pushes to build local manufacturing and cut its dependence on imported cars.
The company held the ceremony at a newly commissioned assembly facility inside Luanda’s special economic zone. Government officials including Minister of State for Economic Coordination Jose de Lima Massano and Transport Minister Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu attended, along with Auzilio Jacob, governor of Icolo e Bengo province, the company said. Diplomats and members of the National Assembly were also present.
Opaia, a diversified conglomerate with interests that include construction, fertilizer production, mining and finance, is positioning the venture as a long term bet on mobility and jobs. Opaia Motors plans to assemble commercial and private vehicles as well as buses aimed at buyers seeking lower upfront and maintenance costs, executives said.
The plant has an installed capacity of 22,000 light vehicles and 1,000 buses a year, according to Opaia. The company said it is working with partners including Volvo, Chery, Dongyang and Afreximbank to support production, financing and supply chains. It did not disclose the size of the investment, expected retail prices or when the first units will reach showrooms and fleet buyers.
Angola has spent years trying to expand beyond oil by nurturing manufacturing and agriculture. Officials have promoted industrial zones and incentives to attract investors, while transport operators have complained about the cost of imported vehicles and spare parts. Local assembly could shorten delivery times and make servicing easier, though much will depend on the availability of components and on steady demand.
Opaia Motors currently employs more than 1,500 young Angolans and expects to grow to 3,500 direct jobs as production ramps up, the company said. It plans to add technical and vocational training to build skills needed for welding, electronics, quality control and fleet maintenance. Executives also said they want to develop a domestic supplier base, starting with consumables and basic components, to reduce reliance on imported parts over time.
Chairman and chief executive Agostinho Kapaia called the launch a milestone for both the company and 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,” he said in a statement. He thanked officials and partners who attended the launch.
Kapaia said locally assembled vehicles could help small businesses and families move goods and people more affordably, particularly outside the capital where transport options can be limited. The company said its initial models are being tailored to Angola’s roads, climate and fuel quality, with an emphasis on durability and efficiency.
Looking ahead, Opaia Motors said it aims to move into electric vehicles as infrastructure improves, describing them as a potential alternative for Angola and neighboring markets. Industry watchers say the shift will require reliable power generation and charging networks, but they note that large fleets often adopt new technology first. No production timetable was provided Tuesday.
