In the context of the changing global realities, Bangladesh has sought long-term cooperation in the energy sector with Angola, Sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest oil producer, as the present government has decided to diversify sources of energy imports.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria Miah Md. Mainul Kabir said this view while presenting his credentials on Friday to President of Angola João Lourenço as the Non-Resident Ambassador of Bangladesh to Angola, said a press release
Miah Md. Mainul Kabir sought the intervention of the President in implementing Bangladesh’s proposal in energy cooperation. He also has laid emphasis on establishing a long-term framework on energy cooperation between the two governments, as well as direct communication between governments and businesses or among business communities.
Bangladesh also urged Angola to export petroleum products as the country has been going through an energy crisis since the middle-east war began February 28.
He also proposed arranging direct discussions between the relevant authorities of both governments at the earliest possible time. Furthermore, he sought Angola’s support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Non-Resident Ambassador of Bangladesh to Angola Miah Md. Mainul Kabir told President of Angola João Lourenço that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), headed by its chairperson Tarek Rahman, got the overwhelming majority victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections held on February 12, 2026.
João Lourenço is the President of Angola in 2026, serving his second term after being re-elected in 2022. He continues to lead the ruling MPLA party and focus on economic reforms, anti-corruption, and regional diplomacy.
He briefed the President of the African country about various plans and initiatives of the present BNP government.During the meeting, he highlighted Bangladesh’s major export products and sought the President’s support in increasing exports to the Angolan market.
He mentioned the investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh and invited Angolan businesspeople to invest in the country. Referring to Bangladesh’s success in agriculture, he sought the President’s support in implementing contract farming initiatives.
The President of Angola conveyed greetings to the government and people of Bangladesh. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s progress, particularly in sectors such as ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, and agriculture, and expressed interest in working together in these areas.
He stated that his government would consider the proposal of the Bangladesh government seriously and assured the high commissioner of full support in carrying out his duties. In response to the Ambassador’s proposals, he also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh at a convenient time.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, Téte António, was present at the meeting. Later, the Ambassador was introduced to senior officials of various ministries in Angola.
On behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, he conveyed greetings and congratulations to the government and people of Angola
Meanwhile, Angola had a production capacity of averaging around 1.03 to 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in early 2025, with forecasts suggesting a rise to 1.14 million bpd in 2026.
The African country holds 9.00 billion barrels of proven reserves and is investing in new wells to counter aging field declines, following its exit from OPEC.
The production remained above 1.00 million bpd, with roughly 75% coming from offshore fields.
While output dropped from over 2 million bpd in 2008, efforts to add new wells have aimed to stabilize and slightly increase production in 2024-2025.Petroleum remains critical, accounting for approximately 75% of government revenues.Main destinations for Angolan crude in late 2025 were China (58.57%), India (11%), and Indonesia (8.28%).
The new $6.6 billion Lobito Refinery project is underway, aiming for a 200,000 bpd capacity to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Angola aims to increase its refining capacity to 425,000 bpd to meet domestic demand and reduce imports. Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. It is Angola’s primary port, and its major industrial, cultural and urban centre
Meanwhile, Bangladesh held talks with Nigeria in energy cooperation recently as the country has been in a deep crisis of petroleum products, created through six-week long war in the middle east, sources in Dhaka and Niger said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and Bangladesh mission in Neger and held a zoom meeting on the prospects of importing Nigerian petroleum products.
Chairman (Additional Secretary) of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Md Rezanur Rahman in Dhaka, Director General of Africa Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ATM Abdur Rauf Mondal and Bangladesh High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria Miah Md. Mainul Kabir in Niger, Tijjani R. Ali, Executive Director, Planning & Commercial, Olujimisayo Abe – Executive Director, Gas, Distillate & Other Products, Uchechukwu I. Onuogu, Company Secretary, Ugbonne O. Nnachi-Ibian, Executive Director, Finance of NNPC Limited of Nigeria among others, took part in the meeting.
