Luanda: The outgoing European Union (EU) Ambassador to Angola, Ros¡rio Bento Pais, on Tuesday in Luanda highlighted the strengthening of the partnership between Angola and the organisation in the areas of political dialogue and investment.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the diplomat, speaking to the press after an audience with President Joo Louren§o, described the relations between Angola and the European Union as 'very good.' She assessed her three-year mandate positively, noting significant achievements such as the upcoming 7th African Union-European Union Summit in November 2025, and increased European engagement in the Lobito Corridor development.
During her farewell, Ros¡rio Bento Pais expressed gratitude for the support received during her tenure and highlighted two business forums, with the latest in May, as pivotal in enhancing trade and investment relations between Angola and EU Member States. She emphasized Angola's significant role in promoting regional and continental stability through mediation processes aiming to resolve conflicts.
Under the 'Team Europe' initiative, approximately pound 2 billion has been mobilised for investments in the Lobito Corridor, covering infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, energy, vocational training, and other sectors. The ambassador clarified that this strategy extends beyond the corridor, including projects across Angola in areas like vocational training, job creation, energy, water, transport, and civil society support.
For the 2021-2027 period, the EU is providing pound 403 million in bilateral support to Angola, focusing on development, governance, anti-corruption, justice, education, and vocational training. The 'Team Europe' strategy integrates European funds, private-sector financing, loans, grants from Member States, and European Investment Bank-supported projects.
The Agri-Invest project, aimed at enhancing agricultural value chains along the Lobito Corridor, receives pound 50 million in grants. It seeks to boost agricultural investment through microfinance for small producers, infrastructure, road access, and logistics platforms to facilitate agricultural produce transport. The programme is in its preparatory phase, with field implementation expected by year-end.
In the political and diplomatic arena, the diplomat highlighted two political dialogues between Angola and the EU in 2023 and March, within the Joint Pathway framework, contributing to strengthened cooperation in political, diplomatic, economic, investment, and development areas. The diplomat remarked that the partnership is robust and fruitful.
The outgoing diplomat's mandate involved deepening the bilateral partnership and increasing European involvement in Angola's structural projects, notably the Lobito Corridor. Angola and the EU's relationship is guided by the Joint Pathway, established in 2012, covering political, economic, trade, investment, peace, and security relations.
Under the Global Gateway initiative, the EU and Member States are mobilising over pound 2 billion for infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, energy, vocational training, trade, and private-sector development projects. Cooperation also includes promoting good governance, rule of law, anti-corruption, justice, human rights, civil society, economic diversification, and reducing oil dependency.
Angola was the first country to sign a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement with the EU, effective since September 2024, to attract and expand investment. Its accession to the SADC Free Trade Area in 2025 set the stage for future accession to the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Cooperation is also facilitated through 'Team Europe,' involving the EU, its Member States, and European financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank.
