Opaia, Angola, opens the nation’s sole domestic auto assembly facility
Angola’s Opaia Group on Tuesday inaugurated a car assembly plant in Luanda, signaling the return of vehicle production in the country as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imports and enhance local manufacturing.
Opaia is a privately-owned diversified group based in Luanda, concentrating on infrastructure projects.
Opaia Motors, a new subsidiary, will manage the recently launched assembly facility, which has the capacity to produce 22,000 light vehicles and 1,000 buses annually, according to a statement released by Opaia on Wednesday. “The facility is the only operational vehicle assembly plant in Angola and represents a significant advancement in the development of the country’s growing automotive manufacturing industry,” the company stated.
A vehicle manufacturing plant funded by China was established in the country over ten years ago. Production ceased as economic conditions changed, and Opaia acquired the plant’s assets.
Opaia will import white-label vehicles for assembly and subsequently sell them under the Opaia Motors brand, the company informed Reuters in an emailed response.
Buses will be provided by Volvo and imported from Sweden, while passenger vehicles will be sourced from China, where Opaia Motors has partnerships with Chery (9973.HK) and Dongfeng Motor (0489.HK).
In addition to decreasing the nation’s reliance on imported vehicles and enhancing the potential for future exports, Opaia mentioned plans to initiate electric vehicle production, though a timeline was not provided.
