Luanda: Angola is reaffirming its commitment to tourism development by actively investing in the Okavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) and the Permanent Water Commission of the Okavango River Basin, Angolan President Joo Louren§o announced during a bilateral meeting with Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Louren§o emphasized the significant role Angola and Botswana play as key members of the regional KAZA initiative. He called for the ratification of the underlying treaty to enhance tourism connections. "Efforts in this direction are underway and we expect to obtain good results soon," Louren§o stated at a reception for President Boko.
The Angolan leader highlighted the economic potential of the Okavango region, noting its international prominence following its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He stressed the importance of safeguarding this status through collaborative state actions. Louren§o also revealed plans to make Cuando province the focal point of Angolan ecotourism under the KAZA framework, thereby linking the nation's wildlife corridors to major tourist circuits in Botswana and other member states.
To facilitate this expansion, Angola hosted the inaugural Angolan Okavango Region Forum, setting the stage for the development of the country's first commercial tourist accommodations in the basin. President Louren§o encouraged investors from Botswana to seize the business opportunities arising from these developments.
President Boko's visit to Luanda, which began on Monday and spans three days, aims to broaden bilateral cooperation across key sectors. The enduring diplomatic relations between Angola and Botswana are bolstered by structured consultations at various levels to drive regional and continental collaboration.
The discussions between the delegations also covered shared growth priorities in mining, agriculture, and healthcare, focusing on ventures that could attract private capital and yield mutual economic benefits. In the energy sector, Botswana expressed interest in acquiring an equity stake in Angola's Lobito Refinery project, valued at 6 billion US dollars.
Furthermore, both nations agreed to enhance strategic cooperation in the diamond sector, encompassing exploration, cutting, processing, and marketing, under the Luanda Agreement set to be signed in June 2025.
