Charting a New Course: The Reasons Behind Angola's Withdrawal from OPEC

Lin Xinyi; Francisco José B. S. Leandro; Luo Ningfan; Pan Rouya

doi:10.22456/2178-8839.145939

Authors

Lin Xinyi
Francisco José B. S. Leandro University of Macau https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1443-5828
Luo Ningfan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7998-7262
Pan Rouya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.145939

Keywords:

Angola, OPEC, Economic Diversification, Oil Dependency, Comparative Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines Angola's decision to withdraw from OPEC and its impact on economic diversification. Analyzing economic data, policy documents, and case studies with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, it explores Angola's motivations, potential for diversification, and challenges. The findings reveal that Angola's withdrawal was driven by economic pressures, policy autonomy, and strategic partnerships. While the move offers flexibility in oil produc-tion and cooperation, successful diversification requires addressing structural issues like weak implementation, poor infrastructure, and limited skilled labor. Comparisons with Sau-di Arabia and the UAE highlight the need for sustained commitment, investment in human capital, and business environment improvements. The paper concludes that Angola's long-term economic stability depends on comprehensive reforms and adaptable policies.

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Author Biographies

Lin Xinyi

Lin Xinyi (mc35609@um.edu.mo) is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Sciences in International Relations and Public Policy at the University of Macau. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Diplomacy and Business English from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and is proficient in Chinese, English, and Japanese. Her academic interests primarily focus on non-traditional security, public diplomacy, and global governance. She has also gained practical experience as an intern researcher at the Guangdong International Economic Association in 2021, where she contributed to international research on non-traditional security across multiple fields. Currently, she is conducting research on the concept of national will to fight, analyzing how public sentiment and national identity shape a nation’s resolve in times of conflict.

Francisco José B. S. Leandro, University of Macau

Francisco José Leandro (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1443-5828) (fleandro@um.edu.mo) received his Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the Catholic University of Portugal in 2010. From 2016 to 2017, he participated in a post-doctoral research program on state monopolies in China, focusing on One Belt One Road studies. In 2014, 2017, and 2020, he was awarded the Institute of European Studies in Macau (IEEM) Academic Research Grant, a major component of the Asia-Europe Comparative Studies Research Project. From 2014 to 2018, he served as the Program Coordinator at the Institute of Social and Legal Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Saint Joseph in Macau, China. From 2018 to 2023, he was the Associate Dean of the Institute for Research on Portuguese-Speaking Countries at the City University of Macau, China. Currently, he is an Associate Professor with Habilitation in International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, and Deputy Director of the Institute for Global and Public Affairs. His recent publications include: Steps of Greatness: The Geopolitics of OBOR (2018), University of Macau; The Challenges, Development and Promise of Timor-Leste (2019), City University of Macau; The Belt and Road Initiative: An Old Archetype of a New Development Model (2020), Palgrave Macmillan; Geopolitics of Iran (2021), Palgrave Macmillan; The Handbook of Special Economic Zones (2021), IGI Global; Disentangled Visions on Higher Education: Preparing the Generation Next (2023), Peter Lang Publishers; The Palgrave Handbook of Globalization with Chinese Characteristics (2023), Palgrave Macmillan; Changing the Paradigm of Energy Geopolitics: Resources and Pathways in the Light of Global Climate Challenges (2023), Peter Lang Publishers; Portuguese-speaking Small Island Developing States: The Development Journeys of Cabo Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste (2023), Palgrave Macmillan; and The Palgrave Handbook on China-Europe-Africa Relations (2025), Palgrave Macmillan. Francisco Leandro is a member of OBSERVARE (Observatory of Foreign Relations), established in 1996 as a center for studies on International Relations at the Autonomous University of Lisbon, Portugal.

Luo Ningfan

Luo Ningfan (mc35608@um.edu.mo) is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Sciences in International Relations and Public Policy at the University of Macau. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Japanese (CAMPUS Asia) from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in 2023, where she graduated with honors and received multiple academic distinctions. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in exchange programs at Ritsumeikan University (Japan) and Dongseo University (South Korea) through the Collective Action for Mobility Program of University Students in Asia (CAMPUS Asia). Her bachelor’s thesis on Realizing the ‘East Asian Community’ from a Constructivist Perspective won the GDUFS 2023 Outstanding Graduation Thesis award. She has worked as a Student Research Assistant at both the University of Macau’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Dongseo University’s SDGs Center. Currently, she is working on research projects related to Angola’s withdrawal from OPEC and quantum peace perspectives in Northeast Asia. As a member of the Trilateral Youth Exchange Network (TYEN), she actively participates in regional dialogue and policy discussions concerning China-Japan-South Korea relations. She is proficient in multiple languages including Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), English, Japanese, and Korean, and has research interests in East Asian regional cooperation, cultural diplomacy, and international relations theory.

Pan Rouya

Pan Rouya (mc35607@um.edu.mo) is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Sciences in International Relations and Public Policy at the University of Macau, with a focus on China-Russia relations, international governance, and international cooperation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Russian from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, awarded in 2023, and is expected to complete her Master's degree in 2025. In 2022, she participated in an exchange program at the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute in Russia, where she deepened her understanding of the Russian language and culture. Her research includes analyzing the Russian translation of Chinese political terminology and contributing to a study on refugee resettlement, which explored the challenges and policies of relocation. Her current focus is on the causes behind Angola's exit from OPEC and its impact on global energy politics.

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Charting a New Course

The Reasons Behind Angola's Withdrawal from OPEC

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Lin Xinyi

Francisco José B. S. Leandro, University of Macau

Luo Ningfan

Pan Rouya

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