Angola may be known for its oil potentials, but its food industry is also attracting significant patronage from investors, mostly from colonial masters Portugal. The latest of which is a $51 million factory launch by food and beverage company, Sumol + Compal.

“The unit will be in Kwanza Norte province and will be a similar size to the factory in Pombal, Portugal,” said José Paulo Machado, said the group’s director of personnel, communications and sustainability.

Equipment, according to Machado, will only be installed to produce juices initially, with that for soft drinks production only coming at a later date.

The company’s principal activities are centred around manufacturing, marketing, bottling, selling, exporting, and distribution of various types of beverages such as soft drinks, juices, bottled water, beers and other related products. It also has operations in the sectors of plastic and glass bottle manufacturing.

Sumol+Compal  says plan to increase its exports to other countries in Africa are currently been explored because the continent is considered strategic to business growth.

The company was founded in 2008 through the merger of Sumol (founded in 1945 as Refrigor) and Compal (founded in 1952), two leading Portuguese companies with a long history.

By George Mpofu