The Technical Assistance Project by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to the Republic of Angola, launched this Thursday in Luanda, outlines concrete measures to foster the emergence of start-ups with high growth potential and positive socio-economic impact. Angola’s National Institute for Support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM) aims to remove start-ups from legal obscurity and place them as key players in a new cycle of economic development for the country.
According to INAPEM’s Chairman of the Board, Bráulio Augusto, the goal is to create a legal framework that is not merely declarative, but one that offers real incentives, differentiated access to financing, investment protection mechanisms, and promotes the development of a dynamic innovation market.
Bráulio Augusto made these remarks on Thursday in Luanda following the signing of a strategic partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
This collaboration seeks to strengthen Angola’s start-up ecosystem by creating a favorable legal and regulatory framework that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic development.
The official launch of the IFC Technical Assistance Project to the Republic of Angola—focused on creating a legal and institutional framework to support the start-up ecosystem—is part of the Strengthening the Incubation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Angola program, funded by the European Union. It includes specific measures to stimulate the growth of start-ups with strong potential for development and positive socio-economic impact. INAPEM’s president stated that the overarching goal is to create and promote a more enabling regulatory environment for these kinds of companies.
“As soon as the draft law is completed, we will launch a one-month public consultation process that will allow all stakeholders in the ecosystem to provide input on this proposal—whether they are start-ups themselves, entrepreneurs, academia, financial and non-financial institutions, or other players who view this government step with great enthusiasm,” he said.
Meanwhile, IFC’s Country Manager for Angola, Botswana, and Lesotho, Roland Yameogo, emphasized that the potential of start-ups in Angola can only be unlocked if all parts of this young and dynamic ecosystem—including the government, support organizations, academia, private sector, and development partners—work together to create a better environment, improve access to finance, and continue developing relevant skills for the sector and for Angola’s brightest minds.
“The Angola Start-up Project aims to support INAPEM in establishing a favorable legal and regulatory framework, addressing key barriers. This includes helping the government tailor the right incentives and protections to enable start-ups to grow and encourage early-stage market financing,” he highlighted.
A well-designed legal and regulatory framework for start-ups, he argued, is essential to laying the foundations for promoting entrepreneurship and attracting local and international capital—positioning Angola as a strong contender in Africa’s innovation economy.
European Union Ambassador to Angola, Rosário Bento Pais, expressed hope that the start-up law will create the necessary conditions for an increasing number of young people to start ventures in digital and tech sectors—capable of positively transforming the lives of thousands of Angolans and their communities.
Finally, Secretary of State for Trade and Services, Augusta Fortes, pointed out that many companies and incubators created by young people still lack legal recognition.
“This hinders their growth, limits access to financing, and restricts opportunities that are often available. We are working to create a legal framework that recognizes start-ups, values innovation, and helps Angola build a new, more modern and inclusive economic model,” she stated.
Source: Forbes África Lusófona
