Angola and Portugal Strengthen Ties with 11 New Cooperation Protocols in Lisbon

Angolan President João Lourenço began a two-day official visit to Portugal this Friday, marking a significant step in bilateral relations between the two countries. During the visit, 11 new cooperation protocols were signed, covering areas from language teaching to security, civil protection, and transportation.

The signing ceremony followed a meeting between João Lourenço and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro with business leaders. Montenegro highlighted that these protocols add to the 12 signed approximately a year ago during his visit to Angola, which are already in effect.

Among the agreements signed at the Palácio das Necessidades in Lisbon were:

• Support from the Camões - Institute for Cooperation and Language.
• Cooperation in security, especially maritime security.
• Partnerships between public transport companies.
• Agreements between civil protection and firefighting services of both nations.

A notable protocol was signed between Camões and the Angolan university Agostinho Neto, aiming to expand studies related to the Portuguese language and Portuguese-speaking cultures by placing a lecturer at the university's Faculty of Humanities.

The Camões Institute, alongside Portugal's Ministry of Internal Administration and Angola's Ministry of Interior, signed a technical-police and civil protection cooperation program for 2025-26, focusing on developing the technical and operational skills of Angola's security forces, with a total funding of 81,562.50 euros.

In the transportation sector, a memorandum was signed between IP Engenharia of the Infraestruturas de Portugal Group and Angola's National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) for the requalification, expansion, and modernization of road and rail networks.

Additional agreements included:

• A memorandum on transport between Portugal's Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing and Angola's Ministry of Transport.
• A maritime safety cooperation protocol between Portugal's Maritime Accident Investigation Office and Angola's National Transport Accident Investigation and Prevention Institute.
• A road safety technical cooperation protocol between Portugal's Ministry of Internal Administration and Angola's Ministry of Interior.

The University of Porto's Porto Business School Association also signed a memorandum with Angola's Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX) to enhance the skills of AIPEX executives in attracting private investment and promoting non-oil exports.

A civil protection and firefighters agreement was signed, focusing on exchanging best practices, expert training, and mutual assistance in case of serious accidents or disasters.

AICEP Global Parques signed two memoranda with Angolan entities, aiming at staff training and fostering private sector investment.

João Lourenço's visit included meetings with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, concluding on Saturday with a conversation at the EurAfrican Forum.