A calculated act of sabotage has severely disrupted Angola’s national power infrastructure, triggering extensive blackouts and multimillion-dollar losses. The incident, confirmed by the Ministry of Energy and Water, targeted critical high-voltage transmission lines.
Unidentified assailants systematically dismantled five essential electricity transmission towers, causing the complete collapse of the structures. This targeted attack severed the 220 kV Cambambe-Ndala Cachibo and Gabela-Alto Chingo power corridors, which are vital arteries for the country’s electricity distribution network.
The immediate consequence was a widespread power outage, crippling operations for residents, commercial enterprises, and public service institutions across affected regions. The physical damage alone is valued at over 400 million kwanzas (approximately $438,000), representing a significant blow to the nation’s infrastructure assets.
This event is not isolated. According to the National Electricity Distribution Company (ENDE), vandalism against electrical installations has become a severe and costly national issue. The utility company revealed that destructive acts throughout this year have resulted in cumulative losses exceeding an astonishing $50 million. These repeated attacks not only inflict direct financial damage on the state-owned enterprise but also create substantial economic losses for businesses forced to halt operations and cause major public inconvenience.
In response to the crisis, ENDE has mobilized emergency technical teams to the sites. The company has issued a public assurance that crews are working around the clock to assess the damage, secure the areas, and restore power to all affected customers at the earliest possible opportunity. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation to apprehend those responsible for the sabotage.