US Supports Angola’s Transition to Clean Energy and Critical Minerals
The United States is backing Angola’s shift away from its oil-dominated economy towards becoming a major processor and exporter of critical minerals and clean energy, a senior official confirmed.
Geoffrey Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, highlighted the alignment between Angola and the US on energy access, security, decarbonization, and critical minerals during an online media briefing on Tuesday.
Angola, a significant crude oil producer in Africa, has emerged as a strategic focus for the US in its efforts to secure critical minerals like copper, amid competition with China.
The US Export-Import Bank has allocated billions of dollars towards clean-energy initiatives to enhance Angola’s energy capacity, with plans to sell surplus electricity across the region.
Pyatt recently visited Luanda, Angola’s capital, where he met with the nation’s oil and energy ministers. Discussions centered on building transmission and grid interconnection infrastructure crucial for Angola to expand its role as a major energy exporter within sub-Saharan Africa, as per his remarks from a transcript.
Highlighting specific initiatives, Pyatt mentioned the closure of a $900 million loan by Ex-Im Bank for solar farms in Angola, developed by US company Sun Africa, which prioritizes non-Chinese components.
Additionally, a $1.6 billion project for mini-grids and clean water projects across Angola, also involving Sun Africa, is under consideration by Congress following board referral.
Angola’s aspirations include developing downstream processing capabilities for critical minerals, a goal supported through the US-led Minerals Security Partnership Forum.
This initiative connects producers and potential financiers from the US, European Union, and other partners to explore investment opportunities for such projects.
