The President, quoted in a note published on the Government's official website, admitted that the plan will help Africa to strengthen its commitment to the mass training of qualified executives: "We will succeed in our efforts to develop Africa's economy, industry and technology if the continent invests seriously in the mass training of qualified executives in the most different branches of knowledge and manages to create policies that motivate the permanence of these executives in their respective countries".
João Lourenço, who spoke last Friday during the videoconference of the 3rd edition of the Global Summit on Manufacturing and Industrialization, admitted that Africa is one of the continents "with the largest world reserves of natural resources such as water from rivers and lakes, arable land, forests and abundant mineral resources, among which some rare and strategic", however, remains one of the least developed continents from an economic, industrial and technological point of view.
Colonization has had a negative impact on the continent, he said. "The current situation has been negatively affected by the colonization to which the continent has been subjected for centuries and the current relations between Africa and the industrialized world, in the unfair trade of raw materials produced by Africa and consumer goods manufactured by the most developed," the note reads.
The head of state also said it was necessary to create jobs on the continent, including investment in infrastructure such as roads, ports, railways, water and electricity production and distribution, as well as strengthening and innovating the telecommunications and technology sector.
About the plan, the President also said it will be for Africa "a form of effective cooperation so that the continent can advance steadily and rapidly in the process of its industrialization".
This plan can help the continent to create "the conditions necessary to attract private investment, to lead to economic growth and job creation".
The plan should focus on diversifying the economy, with a special focus on agriculture and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, he said, admitting that "Europe can help in this area by giving African products greater access to the European Union market and by lowering or eliminating customs barriers. It can also focus on developing and modernizing basic infrastructure such as energy, water, communication routes, telecommunications, as well as strengthening the capacity of our institutions".
"What Africa wants is only the need to maintain a relationship of cooperation that is fairer, equal, and mutually beneficial. Thus, the Marshall Plan for Africa must be based on the reconstruction of war-torn countries, the removal of barriers to trade and the modernization of industries," he added.
As for Angola, João Lourenço made it known that the country is committed "to creating a business environment conducive to private investment since 2018, with the updating of legislation to protect private property and foreign investment, the facilitation or exemption of visas for investors and tourists, as well as the fierce fight against corruption and impunity".
He also emphasized that Angola is improving its national road network and continues to focus on increasing the supply of water and electricity to industries and populations.
