Addis Ababa - Angola and Ethiopia expressed on Thursday in Addis Ababa the desire to strengthen commercial and economic cooperation, especially in areas of strategic development.
This was discussed during a meeting between the Angolan Foreign Minister, Téte António, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timotheos.
During the meeting, the two heads of diplomacy stressed the need to increase the trade balance between the two countries.
The diplomats expressed interest in promoting high-level visits and the intention to hold an Angola-Ethiopia Business Forum to promote investment and strengthen economic relations.
The Angolan minister congratulated Ethiopia on its recent election as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council, which took place on Wednesday at the headquarters of this continental organization.
Ethiopia, along with other nations, will assume a two-year mandate in the aforementioned body, which is responsible for preventing, managing and resolving conflicts on the African continent.
Diplomatic and commercial relations between Angola and Ethiopia are historical and based on friendly ties, with emphasis on the defense of multilateralism and Pan-Africanism, in line with the implementation of the African Union's Agenda 2063.
In 2024, the two countries signed a General Cooperation Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of political consultation mechanisms between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Angola and Ethiopia.
These legal instruments aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as aviation, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications, coffee, tourism, health, culture, sports and financial services.
Despite this progress, the two diplomats recognize that the current level of cooperation does not yet reflect the economic potential and strategic influence that Angola and Ethiopia have in their respective regions.
Angola and Ghana
During his diplomatic agenda in the Ethiopian capital, Minister Téte António discussed with his counterpart, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Angola and Ghana.
Angola believes that the two countries must develop strategic relations that are fundamental for the economic growth of both nations, among other benefits.
The exchange of high-level visits to strengthen political, diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries was also highlighted during the meeting.
Ghana currently holds the chairmanship of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, a regional body based in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
Relations between Angola and Ghana date back to October 20, 1975, when a friendship and cooperation agreement was signed.
Since then, the two countries have worked to strengthen political-diplomatic relations and to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, including the economy, trade, regional security and multilateral diplomacy.
In February 2024, Angola and Ghana signed nine legal instruments aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
These agreements cover areas such as higher education, science, technology, innovation, export promotion, prospecting and exploration of hydrocarbon resources, tourism, arts and culture, and exchange of radio and television programs.
In January 2025, the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, visited Angola, where he met with the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, to discuss issues of common interest and strengthen the current framework of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Both countries have been working together in multilateral organizations such as the African Union to defend peace, sustainable development and regional integration.SR/ART/TED/AMP
