The European Union (EU) and France have provided approximately 25.3 million euros in funding for the Project to Support Waste Management and the Circular Economy in Luanda Province, the capital of Angola, EU Ambassador Rosário Bento Pais announced on Wednesday, the 17th.
Speaking at the project’s launch event, Rosário Pais said the four-year program aims to standardize and promote integrated urban waste management, as well as reduce plastic pollution in coastal areas, which will enable the transformation of waste into resources, fostering recycling and the creation of green jobs in the country.
According to the European Union’s representative in Angola, this investment is not limited to its financial dimension but also has a political nature, reflecting a shared vision that solid waste management can cease to be an urban and environmental problem and instead emerge as a true driver of sustainable and inclusive development.
Rosário emphasizes that the program, funded by the European Union and the French Republic with a budget of 25.3 million euros, is part of the 2021–2027 Multiannual Indicative Program, within the framework of the Global Gateway Strategy and the Team Europe approach.
However, she emphasized that the project directly addresses the priorities of the Angolan government as outlined in the 2023–2027 National Development Plan, particularly the section dedicated to the environment and the circular economy, as well as the National Plan for the Progressive Elimination of Plastics (PLANEPP), which sets concrete targets for reducing plastic pollution in the country.
The ambassador highlighted the urgency of taking action on the project, as Luanda produces between 6,800 metric tons of waste daily, while the recycling rate remains below 5%.
“This reality poses a major environmental, economic, and social challenge, with direct impacts on public health, the quality of life in communities, and urban sustainability,” she said.
Accordingly, Bento presented the project’s key pillars: strengthening governance and regulation—one of the central pillars of this initiative; modernizing the waste value chain—another fundamental objective of the program; attracting private investment and promoting the circular economy; empowering the informal sector and creating green jobs; and aligning with international and regional commitments.
Rosário stated that the European Union is deeply committed to continuing to work with Angola on this transformation.
“We believe this project can serve as a catalyst for broader change, transforming waste into resources, generating business opportunities, creating green jobs, reducing inequalities, and protecting the environment for future generations,” he emphasized.
He also reaffirmed that, with this launch, they are not only celebrating the start of a project but also laying the groundwork for a strategic partnership for the circular economy in Angola, which puts into practice the spirit of Team Europe cooperation and the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy.
“Joining forces, mobilizing investment and knowledge, pooling capabilities, and walking side by side with our Angolan partners to build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. May Luanda become an African benchmark in sustainable waste management. This is our shared commitment,” he concluded.
Source: Forbes África Lusófona
