Escola Nacional de Administração e Políticas Públicas (ENAPP), Luanda, Angola
About the Event
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), established under the Agreement adopted in Kigali in 2018, is the most ambitious economic integration initiative on the African continent. Its objective is to create a single African market for goods and services through the free movement of goods, services, people, capital, and investment.
For Angola, the AfCFTA presents a historic opportunity to diversify its economy, strengthen private sector development, expand participation in regional and continental value chains, and reduce economic dependence on oil exports. Effective implementation of the Agreement requires policy and institutional reforms, harmonization of national regulations with continental frameworks, and the development of productive capacities to enhance Angola’s competitiveness in intra-African trade.
To support this process, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MINDCOM), with technical support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and funding from the Government of Canada, has developed a National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan for Angola.
Following a National AfCFTA Forum held in Luanda in October 2025 and extensive consultations with stakeholders from government, the private sector, development partners, academia, and civil society, a final Strategy and Action Plan will be validated at a workshop to be held in Luanda on June 23, 2026.
Objectives
- The overall objective of the workshop is to establish a national platform for consultation and dialogue to validate the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan of Angola.
Specifically, the workshop aims to:
- Further sensitize public and private sector stakeholders on the AfCFTA and its potential benefits for Angola’s economy.
- Raise awareness of the implications of trade liberalization in goods and services, including opportunities and challenges associated with Angola’s participation in continental markets.
- Highlight market access opportunities and sector-specific prospects while identifying measures to address constraints to Angola’s competitive integration into regional and continental value chains.
- Discuss trade facilitation challenges, including the role of the Lobito Corridor and measures required to promote intra-African trade and investment.
- Strengthen institutional coordination and public-private collaboration to support effective implementation of the Strategy.
- Present and discuss the implementation Action Plan and identify strategic partnerships for financing and technical support.
Expected Outputs
- Validation of the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy and Action Plan of Angola.
- Identification of strategic partnerships and support mechanisms required for implementation of the Action Plan.
- Recommendations on institutional coordination mechanisms to facilitate collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.
Expected Outcomes
- A validated National AfCFTA Strategy and Action Plan ready for finalization and launch.
- Enhanced stakeholder understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with AfCFTA implementation.
- Strengthened partnerships between government, private sector, development partners, and international organizations to support implementation.
- Improved coordination mechanisms for an inclusive and whole-of-government approach to AfCFTA implementation.
Participants
The workshop will bring together:
- Senior representatives of the Government of Angola under the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
- Representatives of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
- Business associations, chambers of commerce, and industrial confederations.
- Academic institutions and research centres.
- Staff from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and other United Nations agencies.
- Development partners operating in Angola, including the European Union, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
Venue
The workshop will take place at the Escola Nacional de Administração e Políticas Públicas (ENAPP) in Luanda, Angola.
Language
The workshop will be conducted in English and Portuguese with simultaneous interpretation provided.
Contact Information
For information and queries on the workshop and related matters should be addressed to:
Mr. Anatolio Dominos
Director – National Directorate for Integration and Economic Development
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Government of Angola
Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky
Economic Affairs Officer
ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa, Lusaka, Zambia
Email: bineswaree.bolaky@un.org
For media inquiries:
Lavender Degre
Communications Officer
ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa, Lusaka, Zambia
Email: lavender.degre@un.org