Luanda - The Minister of Industry and Trade, Rui Miguêns, said on Friday in Luanda that the United States is among the main investors in Angola, with a significant presence in the energy and technology sectors.
The minister, who was speaking at the presentation session of the 17th US-Africa Business Summit, to be held from 23 to 27 June 2025 in Angola, stressed that on the other hand the country is positioned as a strategic partner of the US, serving as a gateway to the vast Southern African market.
He considered that bilateral relations with the United States stand out for their dynamics and enormous potential for growth.
According to the minister, this relationship reflects not only mutual trust, but also a shared commitment to sustainable economic development and a prosperous future for people.
'Angola will host the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit in June 2025, which will be a historic milestone that will strengthen decades of cooperation between the United States and the African continent, promoting mutual prosperity and strategic dialogue,' he stressed.
According to the minister, the US-Africa summits have been instrumental in boosting partnerships in the energy, technology, infrastructure, agriculture and finance sectors, with a focus on sustainable development and economic inclusion.
'The holding of the 17th summit in Angola will reflect the recognition of our country as an engine of economic growth on the continent and an opportunity to highlight advances in economic diversification, structural reforms and improvement of the business environment,' he stressed.
He considered one of the central points of the summit, the transformative impact of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
He said that since its inception, AGOA has opened doors to a wide range of African products in the U.S. market, eliminating trade barriers and providing preferential access.
He said that with more than six thousand eligible products, including textiles, clothing and agricultural products, the initiative represents a valuable window for African companies to expand their operations.
He added that in addition to promoting bilateral trade, AGOA plays a crucial role in strengthening value chains within the continent, encouraging strategic partnerships and technology transfer.
'This collaboration model is essential to build resilient and innovative economies', he stressed.
He also reaffirmed Angola's commitment to maximizing the opportunities provided by AGOA and the US-Africa summit.
For her part, the United States Trade Attaché in Angola, Heather Macleod, said that the summit will bring significant benefits, as it is a platform to strengthen trade and investment relations and promote business opportunities in key sectors.
'The activity is focused on knowing the access and understanding for business between the U.S. and Africa, as well as promoting mutually beneficial trade partnerships between the countries,' he said.
The president of the Industrial Association of Angola (AIA), José Severino, expressed concern about the registration requirements for the event, although the criteria for participation have not yet been advanced.
'We need to increase our production, because the U.S. is now a great partner,' frisou.Ml/ASS/DOJ
