Angolan President Outlines Economic Transformation Goals in ANGOLA – 2050 Strategy

Luanda — President João Lourenço of Angola has shed light on the ANGOLA – 2050 Long-Term Strategy, pinpointing the development of a diversified and prosperous economy as the focal point. In his State of the Nation address, he emphasized the sectors of agriculture, farming, fishing, manufacturing, mineral resources, and tourism as key areas of growth.

According to the address, President Lourenço expressed that while the journey to revamp the economy is extensive, it progresses with the collective vision and unwavering commitment of the nation’s citizens. He identified the attainment of food security as a crucial goal, noting that increasing productivity is essential, as “just complaining doesn’t bring bread to our table.”

Provisional agricultural production data for 2023 indicates a rise in output across all crop sectors, with the expectation to surpass the 5.7 percent increase of 2022 over 2021. Lourenço highlighted the success in the coffee sector, where production climbed to 5,000 tonnes in 2022, a 1 percent increase from the previous year. Presently, approximately 4.7 million coffee seedlings are in cultivation across various provinces, preparing for the planting of 2,350 hectares.

The president assured that the MUCAFÉ Project, designed to bolster the performance and growth of the coffee value chain, will be initiated with support from the French Development Agency. The project aims to enhance production volume, productivity, and quality to foster export opportunities for producers.

From January to June this year, the farming sector produced 103,721 tonnes of meat, marking an increase of 1,075 tonnes over the same period in the previous year. President Lourenço indicated a significant step toward self-sufficiency with the construction of a Biodiversity Centre and Vaccine Factory in Huambo province, which is on schedule for completion. This facility is anticipated to reduce Angola’s reliance on imported animal vaccines for cattle, poultry, and goats.

In addition to these developments, the president commended the diligence of individuals contributing to agricultural production, who play a vital role in the nation’s push for food security. He also noted the commencement of wheat production by approximately 3,320 families and entrepreneurs across various provinces, suggesting that, despite current production levels being modest, they hold the promise of diminishing the country’s reliance on wheat imports through maximizing local potential.