Grupo Opaia SA, a holding firm based in Luanda and created by Angolan billionaire Agostinho Kapaia, reportedly secured €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) in contracts in Angola during the past two years.
Activist Rafael Marques, director of Maka Angola, claims there were anomalies in the awarding procedure, particularly a recent €323.5 million ($350.8 million) contract for 600 buses issued by presidential order. Marques demanded that the most recent agreement be terminated.
Rafael Marques claims that simplified contracting procedures favor Opaia, citing €1.173 billion ($1.27 billion) in public monies committed to Opaia projects over the last two years.
This includes a credit line of €125.5 million ($136.1 million) for a pediatric hospital, €357.5 million ($387.7 million) for a water treatment system, €350 million ($380 million) for a fertilizer factory, and €45.4 million ($49.2 million) for morgue repairs in Luanda.
The latest contract is a €323.5-million ($350.8-million) presidential order for 600 buses. The Ministry of Transport announced that the investment will comprise an export-oriented bus assembly factory.
In a letter to President Joao Lourenco, Marques opposed the grant to the Kapaia-owned Opaia Europa and IDC consortium. He questioned the use of streamlined contracting, which is intended for extraordinary circumstances, given the high unit price of €540,000 ($586,000) per bus compared to market rates of €150,000 ($271,100).
These claims raise concerns about the government’s procurement methods and potential conflicts of interest, indicating the need for further inquiry to ensure fair and competitive bidding.
Agostinho Kapaia is the leader of Grupo Opaia, which focuses on sustainable development in Africa. The organization has completed a number of infrastructure projects and places a high value on social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Kapaia is also the head of Angola’s Community of Exporting and Internationalized Companies (CEEIA), which promotes regional infrastructure and investment.
He also serves as vice president of PAFTRAC Southern Africa, where he advocates for enhanced regional transportation and communication networks.