UAE President Sheikh Mohamed discussed ways to boost bilateral relations with Angola during his state visit to the country on Monday.
Sheikh Mohamed was received by Angolan President Joao Manuel Lourenco, with both sides discussing progress in ties between the countries. They also talked about joint efforts to strengthen ties in fields including energy, technology, agriculture, food security and logistics, state news agency Wam reported.
Relations between Angola and the UAE continues to grow, particularly in investment and development-related areas, Sheikh Mohamed said. The President emphasised the UAE's "keenness to further build upon its ties with Angola with the aim of supporting both countries’ aspirations for development", Wam added.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues and emphasised the importance of working towards global stability. Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE and Angola were bound by their shared vision of sustainable development, growth and prosperity.
The UAE is committed to building strategic partnerships with African countries while supporting efforts to enhance development and stability on the continent, Sheikh Mohamed added.
Sheikh Mohamed received an official reception, including a 21-gun salute, after arriving at the presidential palace. A guard of honour was formed, with the UAE national anthem played to mark the occasion. Sheikh Mohamed also exchanged greetings with senior Angolan ministers and officials.
The Emirati delegation in Luanda includes Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the President, Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention; Dr Ahmed Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy; Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture; Mohamed Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment; and Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State.
'A trusted partner'
Sheikh Mohamed's visit to Angola is an example of the increasing role the UAE is playing on the international stage, particularly in Africa, said Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed.
"Working with the African continent is no longer exclusive to the western world; rather, it is a strategic direction that requires boldness, planning and building trust," Dr Gargash said in a post on X. "And today, the UAE is a reliable partner."
The UAE’s investments in Angola, one of Africa’s major oil producers, cover the ports sector, clean energy, property, defence and agriculture. There has also been interest in Angolan markets, such as mining and critical minerals, energy transition, maritime logistics and agriculture over the past few years as both nations foster deeper ties.
Legacy of co-operation
The UAE established diplomatic relations with Angola in 1997, and several bilateral agreements have been signed in the years since.
The Emirates is keen to strengthen its economic relations with Angola through significant investments in several vital sectors, including energy, technology and maritime logistics services. Opportunities for expansion in many other areas, most notably food security and the agricultural sector in general, are also available.
The UAE's non-oil trade with Angola reached $2.2 billion in 2024, a growth of 36.3 per cent from 2019. Economic relations between the two countries have strengthened significantly since 2021, when an agreement was reached between Masdar and Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water to explore the possibility of implementing a solar energy and energy storage programme.
An agreement was also made between Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Angola’s Ministry of Transport in 2023 to develop maritime services and infrastructure across the country.
The Abu Dhabi Exports Office also signed two financing agreements with the Angolan government worth Dh445 million ($121.1 million). These agreements will establish two data centres and a cloud computing platform, as well as install street lighting using environmentally friendly lamps in the Angolan cities of Luanda, Malanje, Indalatando and Uige.
In January, the UAE sent 25 ambulances, as well as various medical equipment and supplies, to Angola as part of the country’s $220 million global initiative to support the health sector in Africa.
Angola’s President visited Abu Dhabi last year for high-level talks. The countries explored co-operation in fields including economy, trade, investment, development and renewable energy. The leaders also spoke on the phone last month to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration.
