The President of Angola, João Lourenço, visited the headquarters of Medef in Paris on Friday 17 January as part of the ‘Angola – France Business Forum’. The visit focused on strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The ‘Angola – France Business Forum’ was held at the Medef in Paris on Friday 17 January 2025. Medef, Mouvement des Entreprises de France, is the main employers’ organisation, representing the interests of businesses in dealings with public authorities. The aim of this forum is to deepen economic and commercial exchanges between the two nations, in the presence of Angolan President João Lourenço and his delegation. In front of an audience of international entrepreneurs, the Angolan president highlighted the reforms undertaken to attract more foreign investors to the southern African country. These reforms were highlighted by Arlindo Das Chagas Rangel, Chairman of the Angolan Government’s Private Investment and Import Promotion Agency.
The reason for this visit is very simple. There’s no denying that France is the world’s 7th largest economy, and the 2nd largest in the European Union. Angola is in the process of diversifying its economy and does not yet have all the resources to go it alone. That’s why we attach great importance to all foreign investment, whether public or private.
Arlindo Das Chagas RANGEL, Chairman of AIPEX
Among the priority sectors mentioned were infrastructure, energy and agriculture, all areas in which Franco-Angolan cooperation could be strengthened. French companies were encouraged to explore the opportunities offered by this southern African country, which is rich in natural resources. 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.
Today, Angola is a safe, 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
With this event, the leaders of the two countries are reaffirming 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.
