Luanda, Aug. 24, 2026 (Lusa) - Angola has invested 290 billion kwanzas – almost €280 million – in a conference centre inaugurated on Monday, with capacity for thousands of people, designed with business tourism and events in mind.
The new venue, built on what was sea just three years ago in the centre of the country's capital, Luanda, was inaugurated by the Angolan president, João Lourenço, who emphasised the importance of the facility for hosting international events, which until now have been held in marquees and hotels.
«Angola has opened up to the world and, as a result, has managed to attract major international events, particularly to its capital, Luanda,» said the president.
The new facilities now offer «capacity, working conditions and comfort», including a 3,000-seat amphitheatre, which delegates at the 21st extraordinary session of the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government will experience this coming weekend.
The Convention Centre has 12 rooms, four of which are still unfinished, one of which seats 500.
For the Head of State, this venue «brings prestige to the country» and will serve as a foundation for the push into business tourism and events.
João Lourenço called for private investment, stressing that «it is not enough simply to have this centre»; what Angola still lacks is investment in the tourism sector, specifically in the hotel industry.
«It is time to start investing seriously in the hotel sector. Luanda has few hotels; this is the opportunity for the private sector to invest in the hotel sector,» he urged, adding that «any investment that comes in will always be insufficient» for what still needs to be done.
He noted that the current steps are the result of a gradual process the country has been undertaking to change the business environment in Angola.
This push for tourism began several years ago, he said, with the «fight against corruption, visa exemptions for citizens of around 90 countries worldwide, and reforms aimed at reducing red tape in setting up businesses and doing business in Angola».
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