João Lourenço was speaking in New Delhi at the Angola-India Business Forum, at the end of a two-day state visit to the country.
The President stressed that India stands out as a world leader in the production of generic medicines and that Angola is interested in developing partnerships that will allow the installation of pharmaceutical units in the country, “with a view to strengthening the national health system, reducing imports and creating qualified jobs”.
João Lourenço also pointed to agriculture as another sector with “conditions that offer exceptional opportunities for investment and technology transfer”, highlighting India’s experience in agricultural mechanisation, agro-industry and food production, which makes the Asian country an “ideal partner” for “transforming the agricultural sector into a pillar of the Angolan economy”.
“The promotion of ‘joint ventures’ between companies from both countries can accelerate this process and generate sustainable and inclusive value chains”, he stressed.
The Head of State also indicated energy as another sector “of great interest”, both in the field of hydrocarbons and renewable energy, with a focus on solar energy.
“Angola’s commitment to the energy transition is clear and India, with its technical knowledge and accessible solutions, could play a catalytic role in the expansion of clean energy projects, especially in rural areas, reinforcing access to energy and contributing to more balanced territorial development”, João Lourenço pointed out.
He also noted that Angola has a strategic position in the heart of Southern Africa, with privileged access to the regional markets of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area, with more than 1.3 billion consumers.
“This position, combined with political stability, the increasing modernisation of infrastructure and the firm commitment to regional economic integration, allows our country to establish itself as a logistics and industrial hub of excellence for Indian companies wishing to expand their operations on the African continent”, he stated before the businesspeople.
João Lourenço also addressed investments in transport and logistics infrastructure, highlighting projects such as the Lobito Corridor, "which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the interior of the continent, crossing the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia and extending to the ports of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean".
“We invite Indian businesspeople to explore these logistics opportunities that can place Angola at the centre of the export strategy for Africa and the world”, he encouraged.
The President added that negotiations are underway to sign new cooperation instruments in the areas of information technology, agriculture, construction and trade, which will be added to others already in existence and which will “facilitate the entry of Indian companies into priority sectors” of the Angolan economy, paving the way “for joint projects with a high economic and social impact”.
João Lourenço's visit was marked by high-level meetings held in New Delhi with the Prime Minister and President of India, as well as audiences with Indian entities linked to the business world and government policy.
Angola and India will celebrate forty years of diplomatic relations in 2025.
