Angola has expressed willingness to improve trading and bilateral relations with Nigeria, revealing that the year 2025 would be opened with the meeting of Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission to update all legal instruments that guide the two countries political, economic and military cooperation.
Speaking at the celebration of the 49th Angola Independence Day in Abuja on Monday evening, 11 November 2024, the Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jose Bamoquina Zau said as part of the efforts to strengthen relations with Nigeria, “By 2025, we want to open the year with the Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission Meeting to update all legal instruments that guide our political, economic and military cooperation.”
Angola, an oil rich country got its independence from Portugal on 11th November, 1975. The country was engulfed in armed struggle for national liberation which came to a halt in January 1975 following the change of government in Portugal.
Speaking at the Independence Day celebration, the envoy commended Nigeria and other countries for standing by them during the armed struggles for political emancipation and war.
He added: “Here we renew our invitation to investors from the countries that you represent, to invest in: Little Wolf Corridor; Lobito Refinery; Tourism Infrastructure; New Luanda International Airport; Special Economic Zone; Barra do Dande Free Trade Zone; Agri-food industry and the construction project of 1,300 kilometres of the 1st Angola Highway that will connect the North and South of the country passing through 13 Provinces.”
The envoy, talking on the bilateral relations with Nigeria, said: “Our brotherly and cooperation with the Federal Republic of Nigeria have lasted more than 60 years. dating back to the beginning of the Armed Struggle for National Liberation for the Independence of Angola, end of the war and peacekeeping through the United Nations.
“Today our cooperation with Nigeria is strongly based on increased trade between Luanda and Lagos. In the exchange of business missions from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Angola-Nigeria Business Council (ANBC).
“We are also committed to permanently agreeing positions in the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) and defending common interests through the Gulf of Guinea Commission, where important fishing and hydrocarbon reserves are concentrated.”
The envoy added that: “Angola has created a better environment for business with the review of legislation on private and foreign investments, protection and repatriation of profits,” while revealing that they are diversifying the economy and also carrying out energy transition to the use of clean and environmentally friendly energy.
He said: “We invested $4 billion in photovoltaic, green hydrogen, biofuel and hydro-electric dams to have 8 giga watts of electricity available by 2025.”
The envoy therefore urged Nigerians to seize the opportunities to invest in the various sectors of the economy, assuring them of a better investment environment
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has sent his warmest greetings and congratulations to the Minister of External Relations of Angola, His Excellency Téte António, on the occasion of their National Day.
Tuggar, in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, said: “It is a great honour to extend our warmest wishes to you, the government and people of Angola on the auspicious occasion of your National Day.
“We note with great satisfaction the excellent relations between our two countries and the efforts we are making to build on these firm foundations for the benefit of our peoples.
“We wish Angola and the people peace, prosperity and progress and Nigeria’s continuing friendship and support.”
