Catete: Angola’s Secretary of State for Military Industry, Afonso Carlos Neto, announced today in Catete, Icolo and Bengo province, that the government aims to rid the country of landmines by 2027. This ambitious goal was articulated during the opening session of the Board of Directors of the National Demining Center (NDC).

According to Angola Press News Agency, Neto emphasized the government’s commitment to establishing the necessary technical and human resources to achieve a mine-free Angola by the target year. He stressed the importance of instilling a mission-oriented mindset among NDC staff to fulfill this objective. He further highlighted the vital role of demining operations in fostering economic development and facilitating the free movement of people and goods.

Agostinho Ant³nio, the vice-governor of Icolo and Bengo for the Political, Economic, and Social sector, reiterated the government’s readiness to provide institutional support. He noted that the event should be utilized to enhance the skills of technicians, considering the current demining landscape in the country.

The two-day Board of Directors meeting of the National Demining Center will witness participation from provincial department heads and will address topics like ‘the historical path of the NDC,’ ‘2026/2027 activity plan,’ ‘human resources situation,’ and ‘asset financial management.’

The NDC, a public body responsible for coordinating and executing all demining activities in Angola, was established in 2022 following the merger of the National Demining Institute, the Executive Demining Commission, and the demining brigades of the Armed Forces and the President’s Military House. The center operates with administrative, financial, and patrimonial autonomy.