Oil giants' systematic spills are poisoning Angola's coast and its communities

Satellite imagery and testimonies from residents in Angola’s north describe recurring oil spills tied to offshore production in Block 15, near Soyo, affecting coastal livelihoods for years. Fishermen in the region say heavy, dark crude repeatedly washes ashore, clogging fishing nets, blackening crops such as cassava, oranges and bananas, drying coconut trees, and killing crabs. Some residents report days without eating, while others say they feel forced to consume contaminated food. The report links the first surface traces after the Kizomba A platform began extraction in 2002, with leaks becoming persistent by 2013. It estimates at least 19 barrels dispersed daily across 3 km² and a conservative total around 90,000 barrels, with a broader scenario compared to Deepwater Horizon levels.