Germany expressed on Wednesday, in Luanda, its willingness to support Angola in training qualified labor — an initiative that Angolan President João Lourenço described as essential for improving job creation in the country.
Speaking to journalists after his meeting with President Lourenço, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed the topics of education and employment, emphasizing the importance of projects that generate jobs and bring training and knowledge to foster Angola’s development.
“We hope that more German companies will become interested in investing in Angola, creating jobs and transferring skills and knowledge,” said the German head of state. He added that although Angola is not currently a priority in Germany’s skilled labor cooperation program, “the requests made in Angola will be taken to Berlin to assess to what extent they can be supported.”
João Lourenço welcomed the initiative, stressing that bilateral cooperation “should translate into opportunities for young people.”
“The greater the level of cooperation, the greater the number of job opportunities for our youth. Technical and vocational training is particularly important so that young Angolans are better prepared for available jobs,” he stated.
The German President, who arrived in Luanda on Tuesday night, spent Wednesday fulfilling the first day of his official visit — the first ever by a German President to Angola. He was received with military honors at the Presidential Palace after laying a wreath at the sarcophagus of António Agostinho Neto, Angola’s first President.
During the visit, the two governments signed an agreement with Lufthansa for the restructuring of Angolan airline TAAG, as well as a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of an industrial agro-development hub in Angola.
Steinmeier congratulated João Lourenço on the anniversary of Angola’s independence and reaffirmed “Germany’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations” and strengthening exchanges, highlighting the “solid and long-standing partnership” between the two nations.
Accompanied by a delegation of business leaders, the German President noted that the agreements signed demonstrate “the interest of German companies in Angola’s ongoing developments,” particularly mentioning the Lobito Corridor.
“Tomorrow we will take the train and travel a few kilometers along this megaproject that connects the Atlantic coast to the interior and to the economies of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where German companies are already active,” said Steinmeier.
He also praised Angola’s role in Southern Africa, saying that “President João Lourenço and his country are indispensable actors in promoting political integration, peace, and security in the region.”
Steinmeier commended Angola’s “diplomatic and political leadership efforts” in conflict resolution and acknowledged João Lourenço’s role as acting President of the African Union.
He reaffirmed that both Germany and Angola “are committed to a rules-based international order, which is currently under threat,” and advocated for the reform of the United Nations and the Security Council, expressing support for the inclusion of African countries as both permanent and non-permanent members.
Regarding new financing lines, the German President clarified that “credit facilities were not discussed,” but rather “specific projects that have seen price increases since their initial contracts,” noting that renegotiations “are progressing well toward agreement.”
Strengthening friendship and cooperation ties between Angola and Germany is at the center of Steinmeier’s agenda, which includes meetings with various ministries, visits to institutions and ongoing cooperation projects, and a trip to Huambo Province.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two countries have active projects in electric power infrastructure, the pharmaceutical industry, and hospital construction and management.
Source: Lusa
