The 5th Meeting of the Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission will commence on September 9, 2025, in Luanda, with the aim of reviewing and updating Cooperation Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding between the two countries.
The meeting, headed by the Secretary of State for International Cooperation of MIREX, Domingos Vieira Lopes, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, will focus on key areas such as defense and security, cyber and digital diplomacy, economy and trade, judicial cooperation, culture, air and maritime transport, telecommunications, and tourism.
Key Objectives:
- Update over 20 Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding to boost strategic partnership
- Add new legal instruments to guide political-diplomatic cooperation
- Promote dynamic cooperation based on free trade, exemption from visas, and double taxation
- Enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea
The Ambassador of Angola to Nigeria, José Bamóquina Zau, described the meeting as a turning point to promote cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on the hydrocarbon and petrochemical industries, agribusiness, sun tourism, information technologies, innovation, and the blue economy.
Twinning Agreements:
Two Twinning Agreements will be formalized between the Angolan provinces of Bengo and Namibe with the Nigerian States of Nasarawa and Bayelsa, respectively, with the participation of their governors.
Economic Partnerships:
The Angola Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency – AIPEX and the Angola-Nigeria Business Council – ANBC will strengthen relationship channels to guarantee solid economic partnerships with private investments from Nigeria.
Trade Potential:
Despite the potential for significant trade between Angola and Nigeria, trade between the two countries remains dull and unexploited. The meeting aims to address this and promote economic cooperation.
The meeting builds on the historical cooperation between the two countries, which dates back to before Angola’s independence. Nigeria was a fervent supporter of Angola’s political emancipation and has since maintained diplomatic relations with the country.
The meeting is expected to strengthen the strategic partnership between Angola and Nigeria, promoting economic cooperation and development in Africa.
