Angola

From economic challenges to practical solutions

Ambassador Margarida Rosa da Silva Izata is Angola's Permanent Representative at the WTO. She outlines Angola's efforts to overcome structural challenges and achieve economic resilience and sustainable development.


Ambassador Margarida Rosa da Silva Izata is Angola's Permanent Representative at the WTO

What are some of the challenges faced by Angola on the path to graduation from LDC status?

Over 90 per cent of Angola's export earnings come from oil revenues. So volatility of oil prices has been one of the main challenges. The country has also been severely affected by droughts, rising food prices and the COVID-19 pandemic. The original plan was to graduate in 2024. However, in view of macroeconomic and structural challenges, the United Nations General Assembly decided to defer Angola's graduation to a later date.

What are some of the steps that Angola has been taking to build resilience?

Economic diversification is an important government priority, reflected in the National Development Plan 2023–2027. Angola is aiming to boost agricultural production and improve nutrition and living standards of its people. Its Agricultural Development Support Fund has been helping to bolster production and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. Services development is another priority as it can positively contribute to ensuring more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

What is the role of development partners in supporting Angola's economic diversification efforts?

Angola has been working closely with its development partners, including UNCTAD and the European Union under the "Train for Trade II" programme to bolster the country's capacity to produce and export, with a view to achieving structural transformation.

Angola is also working closely with the European Union to add value to the fisheries value chain, to ensure a sustainable blue economy and to promote a circular economy with improvements in waste management in Luanda. In addition, it is collaborating with the EU to equip civil society with cutting-edge training.

Together with development partners, Angola has been investing in the operationalization of the Lobito Railway Corridor, which can help to boost trade, industry and other sectors in Angola and its neighbouring countries.

I believe all these efforts will help Angola become a more diversified and resilient economy, which can withstand economic shocks and achieve sustainable development with all the benefits that it will bring to the people of Angola.