AA / Paris / Ümit Dönmez
Angolan President João Lourenço, accompanied by his wife, will be in Paris this Thursday for a state visit marked by a busy schedule. This visit aims to strengthen political and economic ties between France and Angola, while addressing major regional issues, notably the peace process in the Great Lakes region, according to a source at the Élysée.
This source recalls that in March 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Luanda, emphasizing economic and agricultural partnerships. France is the main investor in Angola, with 18 billion euros of investments, mainly in the oil sector. Agriculture, another pillar of this cooperation, has led to agreements on irrigation and the reconstitution of the coffee sector.
In addition to these economic aspects, questions of Francophonie and culture occupy a particular place, according to the Élysée, which recalls that Angola, a Portuguese-speaking country, joined the International Organization of the Francophonie in 2023 as an observer. On this occasion, initiatives to promote the learning of French in Angolan schools and the opening of a bilingual Franco-Portuguese high school were launched.
– An international dimension
The Angolan President is also preparing to play a leading role on the African scene by taking over the presidency of the African Union. According to a source at the Élysée, this function should strengthen cooperation on regional issues, in particular mediation between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, as part of the Luanda process. The objective is to relaunch negotiations to ease tensions in eastern DRC.
In terms of infrastructure, the Lobito corridor project, supported by European investments, will also be discussed, according to the Élysée. This strategic project aims to improve the export of minerals by linking Angola to Zambia and the DRC.
– A highly symbolic visit
The official program, which will begin with a welcome ceremony at Les Invalides, will include bilateral talks behind closed doors, followed by press statements and an official dinner. A major announcement could concern the signing of a contract for an Earth observation satellite, involving Airbus and financed by a French bank.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for Franco-Angolan relations, combining economic, cultural and geopolitical issues. It is also part of a French desire to strengthen its influence in sub-Saharan Africa, in a context of growing rivalries with other powers, notably China and Russia, according to the Élysée.
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