India-Angola Business Forum, a platform for not only business dialogue, but also to foster a strong, strategic, and results-oriented partnership.
- H.E João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President, Republic of Angola
“The relationship between Angola and India is built on a solid legal and institutional foundation, developed over decades of cooperation. The existing bilateral agreements — in areas such as health, energy, financial services, and diplomatic mobility — reflect both countries’ commitment to a structured, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnership”, stated H.E João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President, Republic of Angola at the India Angola Business Forum, held in New Delhi on 4 May 2025.
His Excellency, spoke about Angola’s strategic location with privileged access to regional markets through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). which enables the country to position itself as a logistics and industrial hub for Indian companies seeking to expand across the African continent. With significant investments in transport and logistics infrastructure, like the Lobito Corridor, there are immense new possibilities for regional value chains. “We invite Indian entrepreneurs to explore these logistical opportunities that can place Angola at the center of their export strategies — both for Africa and the wider world”. Stated hon’ble President.
He went on to talk about the various sectors for cooperation, which includes the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture sector, and renewable energy sector.
“We firmly believe that this transformation will only be truly sustainable if it is supported by strong, fair, and innovative partnerships. Without doubt, India’s business dynamism, technological excellence, and capacity for innovation are qualities that Angola deeply values and with which we wish to walk side by side,” he said.
The same event was also addressed by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, who spoke about India’s strengths which have poised as India as a significant investment hub. He stated “Looking ahead, there are several priority sectors where we can deepen collaboration. In the energy sector, we can develop oil and gas infrastructure and partner on clean energy. In the fired of education and skilling, India can play an important role in education and capacity building, through high tech training and increased number of scholarships.”
Mr Sanjiv Puri, President, CII also addressed the gathering and spoke about the areas of opportunities between India and Angola. “Angola has a very strong mining sector and the third largest diamond production in Africa. The country also possesses repositories of critical minerals including copper, gold, uranium, lead and zinc. I truly believe that joint exploration in diamond processing and other critical minerals would develop a critical minerals value chain, potentially impacting crucial sectors like RE and EV manufacturing” he said.
These discussions were followed by a panel discussion between industry members from both countries, which revolved around a plethora of areas of cooperation including pharmaceuticals, agriculture and energy transition.
4 May 2025
New Delhi.