El Alamein:President Joo Louren§o of Angola emphasized the significant contributions made by Angola in strengthening AUDA-NEPAD's political leadership and technical capacity over the past year. He spoke during the Summit of the Founding Countries of AUDA-NEPAD in El Alamein, Egypt, marking his first address as Chairperson of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Louren§o co-chaired the summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He discussed Angola's efforts in organizing the Luanda Summit, which focused on financing infrastructure development in Africa. The event brought together African governments, financial institutions, investors, and the private sector to mobilize resources for strategic infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity, trade, and regional integration.
Key initiatives, such as the Lobito Corridor and other regional corridors, were highlighted as important for linking markets across Africa, supporting productive sectors, and creating cross-border business opportunities. President Louren§o announced efforts to establish an AUDA-NEPAD presence in Angola to strengthen the agency's ability to respond to the specific priorities of each member state.
He stressed the importance of coherence among the African Union Commission, AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities, and Member States, aiming for a common focus on achieving major developmental objectives for the continent. President Louren§o expressed hope that the summit would initiate ongoing engagement, leadership, and strategic guidance for AUDA-NEPAD's future endeavors.
The Angolan leader urged for the same leadership shown during NEPAD's establishment in 2001 to now empower AUDA-NEPAD for the next 25 years. He anticipated that the El Alamein meeting would be remembered for celebrating progress and significantly strengthening African ownership and commitment to AUDA-NEPAD's mission.
