Pretoria - Angolan President João Lourenço state visit to South Africa, starting on Wednesday, will define new areas of cooperation according to the current situation of the two countries, as well as global challenges.
The agenda includes the signing of new agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in strategic areas such as energy, mining, agriculture and trade, with emphasis on initiatives that attract more foreign investment in Angola.
The visit will be marked by discussions around key areas of bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues.
Angola's intention is to consolidate the partnership to improve its energy infrastructure, something that has already been identified as an area of mutual interest.
Therefore, an economic forum involving businessmen from both nations is also planned, in order to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
In addition, the leaders should discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest, such as the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the reform of the UN Security Council and collaboration within the BRICS and the African Union.
These issues reflect the search for greater African protagonism in international forums, something emphasized by both countries.
The visit, which takes place at the invitation of his counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, is seen as a strategic opportunity to further deepen economic, political and diplomatic ties.
Regional integration and peace
It is expected that the opportunity will be taken to also address critical issues, such as the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, taking into account that the two SADC countries have collaborated in the search for solutions to conflicts in the region.
The same also happens at a time when Angola is preparing to assume the presidency of the African Union and will be an opportunity for João Lourenço and Cyril Ramaphosa to align positions to strengthen African protagonism in global forums.
Both countries have an interest in stabilizing the region through SADC mechanisms and possibly reactivating the Angola-South Africa-DRC tripartite mechanism.
International Politics
In addition to African themes, the visit will allow the exchange of views on global conflicts, including the situation in Gaza and the war in Ukraine.
Although their positions are complementary in many aspects, some strategic differences can be adjusted.
The Angolan President's move is also a historic opportunity to align long-term interests and priorities, especially at a time of transition and global challenges that require greater south-south cooperation.
Cooperation Relations
Cooperation relations between Angola and South Africa have solid historical and strategic foundations, derived from mutual support during periods of struggle for independence and against apartheid.
Currently, both countries maintain a partnership that covers areas such as economy, politics, regional security and culture.
Cooperation seeks to intensify commercial exchanges and mutual investments, with South Africa being one of Angola's largest commercial partners in the region, with interest in sectors such as mining, electricity, infrastructure and agriculture.
Recently, initiatives such as the use of local currencies in bilateral trade and the creation of credit insurance mechanisms to facilitate business were discussed. AFL/ART/DOJ
