Benguela Province, Angola
23-24 May 2023
Following the successful first Angola-European Union Business Forum in Brussels in 2022, the EU in partnership with Angolan authorities will hold a second edition of the event in May 2023.
Since the first edition, Angola continues to improve its business environment, diversify exports and enhance the country’s infrastructure. The EU and its Member States, as major trade and investment partners, are committed to support the reforms oriented towards economic diversification and growth, decent jobs creation and sustainability.
Part of the broader EU strategy to step up engagement through the "partnership of equals" approach, the European Commission concluded negotiations with Angola on a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) - the first EU agreement of this kind - to further enhance sustainable trade and investment links in line with the Global Gateway. The agreement is designed to attract and expand investments while integrating environment and labour rights commitments in the Angola-EU relationship. It seeks to support the diversification of Angola's economy, currently based on its abundant raw materials and energy resources, to unlock the country's potential through inclusive and sustainable growth. In addition, Angola's accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACTAJ and the SADC Trade Protocol contribute critically to connecting Angola's economy to regional and global value chains.
The 2nd Angola-European Union Business Forum will highlight Angola's opportunities and comparative advantage as a strategic destination for direct investment, capitalising on public-private engagement, encouraging networking between Angolan and European businesses, facilitating investments, and sharing the experience of European firms in the strategic sectors of agriculture and agribusiness, livestock, fisheries, digitisation and logistics, whilst discussing measures for improvements
The Business Forum will take place in Angola's province of Benguela given its link to two crucial infrastructures: the Lobito corridor, a crossroad anticipated to become central to the economy and trade between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and the world, given the potential of its value chains, and the Lobito port, one of Africa's major ports.
AUDIENCE
This high-level event is supported by the EU, with a wide range of EU official collaborating, and the Government of Angola at ministerial level. The event is organised in a team Europe spirit and includes the EU Member States representations and businesses interested in further investing. Key Angolan government agencies and officials from Business Support Organisations, such as the Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Angola (AIPEX), are on board. A special role will be given to financing institutions that can help investors in Angola & Europe. Finally, the private sector will be at the heart of the Forum both firms already established in Angola and potential investors.
Registration here
For further information and questions about the event, do not hesitate to reach out to Renata Villa