Luanda, May 04, 2026 (Lusa) – More than 20 Belgian business leaders are in Angola on a trade mission focused on agribusiness, transport and logistics, with a view to diversifying trade partnerships, according to the Belgian ambassador in Luanda.
The mission, which began today in Luanda, comprises 21 companies and 26 business leaders, “one of the largest European delegations attending the Lobito Angola-European Union Business Forum”, which begins on Tuesday in the Angolan capital.
Stéphane Doppagne explained that the mission was prompted by the economic diversification currently underway in Angola and the improvement in macroeconomic indicators, emphasising that the non-oil sector grew by 7.3% last year, outpacing the oil sector, and that foreign direct investment outside this sector “almost tripled in 2025”.
“For this mission, we have chosen two priority sectors that we believe have great potential: agriculture and manufacturing,” said the diplomat, adding that more than half of the companies present are seeking opportunities in agribusiness, “which is growing rapidly”.
The delegation’s second focus is transport and logistics, in particular the Lobito Corridor, which links the Angolan port to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“We have many Belgian companies in the Congo, particularly in Katanga. We believe we can help develop this corridor (…). Angola could serve as a gateway for maritime transport and exports to other countries from this sub-region,” said Doppagne.
The diplomat also highlighted the significance of the bilateral trade relationship, noting that Belgium exports an average of €300 million annually to Angola, mainly petroleum products, chemicals and machinery, whilst Belgian imports from Angola stand at between €500 and 600 million, mostly diamonds, making Belgium the European Union’s fourth-largest trading partner with Angola.
The secretary of state for Industry, Carlos Rodrigues, highlighted the importance of Angola as a partner for Belgium in international trade, noting that Belgian imports from Angola grew by 6.3% last year, with metals and precious stones accounting for 87.2% of the total.
As for Belgian exports to Angola, chemicals lead the way at 34.1%, followed by machinery and equipment (18.1%) and plant products (13.8%).
“This confirms that our economies are complementary: Belgium exports exactly what Angola needs to accelerate its industrialisation and, conversely, Angola offers Belgium natural resources and long-term investment opportunities that few African markets can match,” the minister emphasised.
Doppagne also highlighted the human dimension of the bilateral relationship, noting that around 8,000 Angolans reside in Belgium and approximately 300 Belgians live in Angola. “Belgian-Angolan relations are not just about trade and investment. They are, above all, relations of friendship between our two countries and peoples,” he stated.
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