Catete:The Union of Local Associations of Angola (AMANGOLA) has taken significant steps to enhance the technical skills of its members in community entrepreneurship, focusing on rural regions in Catete, Icolo e Bengo province. This initiative is a part of their broader efforts to promote sustainable economic development in rural areas.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the training was conducted during the 4th meeting of the Steering Committee and received technical support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the National Institute for Support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM), the National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP), the Agricultural Development Support Fund (FADA), and the Development Bank of Angola (BDA). The training is a precursor to the implementation of the agro-industrial cooperative project, "To Our Fields, We Shall Return," which is an ongoing national initiative.
Jeovany Fila, Vice-President of AMANGOLA for Institutional Cooperation and International Relations, highlighted that the initiative aims to foster entrepreneurship, cooperativism, and associativism as viable alternatives for income generation and community development, reducing reliance on public sector employment. The skills imparted by the participating institutions are expected to help members organize better, prepare necessary documentation for formalizing economic activities, and enhance the organization's strategic actions for 2025-2028.
Regarding cooperative creation and credit access, Fila stated that AMANGOLA plans to align these initiatives with legal frameworks to enable member participation in national economic development. He emphasized that community development is a collective responsibility where individuals can contribute through economic activities, with agribusiness identified as a priority sector for training and formalization.
AMANGOLA's efforts include revitalizing cooperatives across all municipalities, engaging both members and non-members, particularly in rural communities, with assistance from provincial and municipal authorities. This initiative is underpinned by a recent partnership agreement with the Ministry of Territorial Administration. AMANGOLA, a national association, aims to consolidate a network of local associations to achieve tangible outcomes across Angola and among Angolan communities abroad, collaborating with the State.
Since its relaunch in November 2025, AMANGOLA has been active in appointing new members to its provincial delegations and continuing its work across various Angolan municipalities and communities abroad.
