Angolan president targets biofuels as a vehicle for economic development

In Angola, president Jose Eduardo dos Santos opened discussions with Brazil by focusing on the potential of biofuels. “The production of these bio-fuels will enable to contribute for the economic development of several regions in the country, since it is possible to explore the best alternatives in the raw materials existing in each region”. Angola’s reserves of undeveloped land, and low cost structure, have made it an attractive target for foreign biofuels investment.

Yesterday, the Brazilian company Odebrecht agreed with Angola-based Sonangol and Damer to invest US$200 million in sugar ethanol and electricity projects in Malanje province. The joint venture will produce 2 million tons of cane, 160,000 tons of sugar, 50,000 cubic meters of ethanol and 140 megawatts of electricity per year. The venture will be known as Biocom.

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