Luanda: Angola and the United States of America signed two significant legal instruments on Thursday in Luanda to enhance bilateral cooperation across the transport, industry, and trade sectors. These agreements include a memorandum aimed at strengthening infrastructure capacity between the Ministry of Transport and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as a memorandum between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the US Department of Commerce to establish a trade and investment partnership.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the memorandum between the Ministry of Transportation and USAID seeks to foster Angola’s economic growth, development, and diversification through strategic collaboration. Meanwhile, the agreement between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the US Department of Commerce aims to deepen trade and investment ties between the two nations.
The transport sector memorandum was signed by Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo D’Abreu, and the US Un
der-Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mary Catherine Molly Phee. In the trade sector, the agreements were signed by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Rui Minguês, and the US Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Gina Raimondo.
These memoranda outline plans for implementing initiatives in priority areas, developing infrastructure projects, organizing bilateral trade missions, and strengthening institutional capacity to promote and manage foreign investment. These actions align with Angola’s National Development Plan (PDN) 2023-2027, which prioritizes inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The memorandum in the transport sector signifies a strategic advancement in developing Angola’s transport infrastructure. It strengthens the capacity to modernize the sector, promote economic growth, and contribute to diversifying the Angolan economy. The establishment of the Project Management, Concessions, and Public-Private Partnerships Unit, composed of specialized technicians, will enable the Ministry of
Transport to manage concessions and partnerships, and monitor public investment projects, focusing on the Lobito and Sul corridors.
Additionally, the memorandum provides for training courses and equipment acquisition, essential for strengthening technical work and ensuring efficiency and safety in the transport sector. The trade memorandum reflects a joint effort to intensify trade and investment relations, promoting a business-friendly environment and facilitating private sector-led projects, particularly in food safety, infrastructure development, and regulatory reforms.
Moreover, the agreement commits to cooperation with both the Angolan and US business communities, encouraging idea exchanges and identifying new business opportunities. This initiative marks a decisive step for Angola towards diversifying its economy, attracting strategic investments, and integrating competitively into global trade, thereby promoting the country’s development and economic progress.
The signing ceremony was attended by th
e Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, and members of the US diplomatic corps accredited to Angola.
