Luanda: The President of the Republic, Joo Lourenço, returned to Luanda on Sunday following a two-day visit to the province of Benguela, where he chaired an extraordinary meeting of the local governance council. According to Angola Press News Agency, the final statement from the meeting revealed that the Angolan economy recorded a growth of 3.5 percent during the first quarter of this year. This growth was primarily driven by the non-oil sector. The report highlighted that the national economy's performance, coupled with a slowdown in inflation, resulted in the creation of approximately 1 million new jobs. During his visit, President Lourenço was accompanied by the First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, and their assistants. They spent significant time at pavilions showcasing municipal and urban infrastructure projects, including housing and development zones. At the opening session of the meeting, President Lourenço encouraged provincial governments and municipal administrations to take a proactive role in creat ing opportunities, promoting local economies, and improving the quality of life for the population. He emphasized that inclusive decentralization is essential for the harmonious development of the territory.
