Sonangol Wins Top FILDA Prize for Third Straight Year as State Oil Firm Turns 50

Angola's state oil company Sonangol won the Grande Premio Leao de Ouro at the 41st edition of the Feira Internacional de Luanda (FILDA), the third consecutive edition in which it has taken the fair's top award. The prize was handed over at a Saturday night gala in a Luanda hotel.

The award landed in the year the oil company completed 50 years of existence and 41 participations at FILDA, according to Dionisio Rocha Junior, Sonangol's director of Communication, Brand and Social Responsibility, who received the prize. Rocha dedicated the distinction to Sonangol's workers and pointed to the symbolism of the win in the year the company marks five decades. He said the company's first FILDA appearance came 41 years ago.

Beyond the main prize, the national oil company received an honourable mention for its continued contribution to strengthening and adding value to FILDA, and a diploma of merit from the event organisation for its participation.

Sonangol's stand was built around innovation, sustainability and digital transformation, and the space was powered entirely by solar energy, with exploration and production activities on display. Rocha Junior said the company was present with a stand covering the Sonangol business chain, plus three further stands from the wider corporate group.

The fair closed on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the exhibition park in the Special Economic Zone, Icolo e Bengo province. It had opened on July 21 at the same site.

Provisional figures put attendance at 139,000 people, a rise of 7.5% on the previous edition. A total of 2,348 exhibitors, national and foreign, took part under the theme "Produzir e inovar localmente, vencer globalmente". Industry led participation with 34% of exhibitors, spread across agrifood, processing, extraction and other industrial activities.

Twenty-six categories were awarded at the Gala Leoes de Ouro. In oil and gas, the Refinaria de Cabinda took the sector prize. AQUACORP was recognised in Energia e Agua. Nova Cimangola won Melhor Participacao da Industria and VECAUT took Maquinas e Equipamentos Pesados.

The Banco Nacional de Angola won in the public entities and institutions category and also took Representacao e Identidade da Marca. The Ministerio do Interior won public services and public utility, and ICC Angola took commerce and services. Standard Bank won Melhor Participacao em Tecnologia e Projecto com Impacto, BAI took Banca, and Visit Angola was recognised in Hotelaria e Turismo.

China took the international participation category. EDEME Angola received Melhor Activacao de Marca. Other winners included Grupo Carrinho in food and beverages, Grupo Boa Vida in civil construction and public works, Valencia in furniture and decoration, ENSA Seguros in insurance, Quinta dos Jugais in Feito em Angola, Ferpinta (Kampo) in agriculture and fisheries, Probeauty in health, commerce and services, and Euroaustral in transport, mobility and tourism. The Banco de Desenvolvimento de Angola (BDA) won financial services and investment incentives.

The gala was attended by Industry and Commerce Minister Rui Miguens de Oliveira, Secretary of State for Commerce and Services Augusta Fortes, and Grupo Arena board chairman Bruno Albernaz.

The next fixture on the country's hydrocarbon calendar is Angola Oil & Gas 2026, held in Luanda on September 9 and 10, where Banco BCS is taking part, according to Jornal Opais.