Luanda, Angola—In a significant move to address Angola’s critical water shortages, UAE-based AMEA Power and Spanish firm Cox have signed a cooperation agreement to build a large-scale seawater desalination plant near the capital. The project, with a total cost exceeding $200 million, is a strategic joint venture aimed at bolstering the country’s water security and is set to supply potable water to approximately 800,000 people.
The plant, located on the Mussulo Peninsula, will have a total capacity of 100,000 cubic meters per day and will be constructed in two phases. Each phase will contribute 50,000 cubic meters per day, according to a joint statement. The agreement was formalized with Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water (MINEA), with key officials and the UAE Ambassador to Angola in attendance.
Strategic Partnership and Project Scope
The partnership between AMEA Power and Cox, operating under the joint venture Water Alliance Ventures, leverages AMEA’s regional expertise and institutional backing with Cox’s technological capabilities. The collaboration is part of a broader push by both companies to expand their footprint in the Middle East and Africa, where there is high demand for water and energy infrastructure. The companies are currently developing desalination and water treatment projects with a combined capacity of over two million cubic meters per day across the regions.
Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power, underscored the project’s importance, describing it as a “transformative step toward securing sustainable and climate-resilient water for Angola.” He highlighted the strong support from the UAE government as a key enabler for the deal, which began with initial development activities in 2022.
Economic and Social Impact
Once operational, the plant is expected to significantly improve water access for residents of the Mussulo Peninsula and the neighboring Futungo district. The project is designed to complement existing public initiatives, such as the Bita and Quilonga projects, which are also part of Angola’s strategy to upgrade Luanda’s water infrastructure.
Each of the two phases is expected to create 300 jobs during the construction period and will support around 25 permanent positions upon completion. Construction of the first phase is scheduled to begin after the finalization of technical and environmental studies, with a target commissioning date in the second quarter of 2028.
Enrique Riquelme, Executive Chairman of Cox, noted that the contract marks a fundamental step in his company’s international growth strategy, recognizing Angola’s opportunities in the water sector. He stated the partnership’s goal is to provide sustainable solutions to ensure citizens have access to safe drinking water.