The State visit by Angolan President João Lourenço to Paris, France, on 16 and 17 January 2025 focused on economic cooperation and geopolitical issues. The meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron marked a new chapter in bilateral relations between France and Angola. More than 430 million euros worth of contracts and investments were signed between the two parties.
The State visit by Angolan President João Lourenço to Paris, France, on 16 and 17 January 2025 focused on economic cooperation and geopolitical issues. The meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron marked a new chapter in bilateral relations between France and Angola. More than 430 million euros worth of contracts and investments were signed between the two parties.
We discussed issues of great importance, and it was possible to establish a series of commitments, some of which are already reflected in the important legal instruments that we signed this afternoon, and whose implementation will help to boost our cooperation in a wide range of areas, including agriculture, health, sport, internal security, the environment and higher education, among others.
João Lourenço , President of the Republic of Angola
France is the main investor in Angola, with investments of €18 billion, mainly in the oil sector. Agriculture, another pillar of this cooperation, has led to agreements on irrigation and the recovery of the coffee industry. In addition to these economic aspects, Francophone and cultural issues are of particular importance, according to the Elysée, which points out that Angola, a Portuguese-speaking country, has joined the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in 2023 as an observer.
In total, more than 430 million euros worth of contracts and investments have been signed and implemented as part of this State visit. And we want to go even further in the fields of culture, infrastructure and minerals. Our discussions also provided an opportunity to revisit the Lobito corridor, an infrastructure, rail and road link that is crucial for the entire region.
Emmanuel Macron , President of France
The leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their desire to build a lasting and mutually beneficial partnership, at a time when economic diversification remains a priority for Angola, whose exports are still more than 90% dominated by hydrocarbons. The southern African country is the continent’s second largest oil producer behind Nigeria, with more than a million barrels a day.
Today, Angola is a secure, politically and socially stable country, and all the conditions are in place for French investors to use Angola as a hub to promote trade throughout Africa.
Arlindo Das Chagas RANGEL, Chairman of AIPEX
In 2023, trade between France and Angola reached around €3.7 billion. Today, more than 50 French companies are present in Angola, employing nearly 15,000 people, mainly in the oil, health and business services sectors.
