Opaia, one of Angola’s leading diversified business groups, has officially launched Opaia Motors, the country’s only domestic producer of commercially and privately used vehicles.
The new automotive venture represents a significant step in strengthening national mobility, boosting employment and building long-term manufacturing capability.
The launch took place on 20 January 2026 at Opaia Motors’ newly completed, state-of-the-art assembly facility in the Zona Económica Especial (ZEE) in Luanda. With an annual installed capacity to produce 22,000 light vehicles and 1,000 buses, the facility positions Angola as a serious contender in the emerging African automotive manufacturing landscape.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including José de Lima Massano, Minister of State for Economic Coordination; Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, Minister of Transport; and Auzílio Jacob, Governor of Icolo e Bengo Province. Also present were members of the National Assembly, diplomats, and key international partners such as Volvo, Chery, DONGYANG and Afreximbank, underscoring the strategic significance of the project and its alignment with Angola’s national development priorities.
Opaia Motors is currently the only operational vehicle assembly plant in Angola, marking a decisive step towards establishing a sustainable domestic automotive industry. By reducing dependence on imported vehicles, the operation is expected to create export opportunities, stimulate local supply chains and contribute to the country’s long-term economic diversification.
The company already employs more than 1,500 young Angolans, with plans to expand its workforce to 3,500 direct jobs. Alongside employment growth, the initiative places strong emphasis on technical and vocational training, aiming to enhance the personal, professional and financial development of its employees.
Beyond job creation, Opaia Motors will play a central role in advancing Angola’s industrial policy by encouraging local skills development and building a robust domestic supply chain for automotive components. The facility is also set to facilitate technology transfer from global manufacturers—an essential factor in accelerating the country’s industrialisation.
Aligned with Angola’s sustainability goals, Opaia Motors is designing its vehicles to operate efficiently within the country’s existing infrastructure, prioritising durability, reduced maintenance costs and lower total cost of ownership. Looking ahead, the company has set its sights on producing electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to offer affordable and practical alternatives to traditional internal combustion models for both domestic and regional markets.
Speaking at the launch, Agostinho Kapaia, Chairman and CEO of Opaia Group, said the establishment of Opaia Motors represents a “major milestone” for both the company and the country. He emphasised the Group’s commitment to addressing Angola’s mobility needs through locally produced, affordable and fit-for-purpose transport solutions, while also contributing to the development of a new national automotive supply chain.
Kapaia added that Opaia Motors demonstrates the Group’s ability to deliver complex industrial investments and complements its existing portfolio across construction, fertiliser production, mining and finance.
