In a landmark visit underscoring the growing depth of relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Angola, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, held official talks with His Excellency João Manuel Lourenço, President of Angola, in Luanda on 25th August 2025, Monday.
The state visit was marked by a series of high-level engagements, ceremonial honours, and the signing of pivotal agreements aimed at broadening cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared vision of development and prosperity, committing themselves to forging a comprehensive partnership that strengthens not only bilateral ties but also contributes to wider regional stability and growth. President João Lourenço welcomed Sheikh Mohamed with full state honours, including a 21-gun salute and an inspection of the guard of honour at the presidential palace. The Angolan leader expressed his deep appreciation for the UAE President’s visit, emphasising its historic significance in consolidating relations between their two nations.
The visit coincided with Angola’s golden jubilee of independence, a milestone Sheikh Mohamed highlighted in his remarks. Extending his congratulations to President Lourenço and the Angolan people, he wished the nation continued progress, stability, and prosperity. The symbolic timing of the visit added weight to the discussions, underscoring both leaders’ commitment to ushering in a new chapter of partnership.
Expanding Horizons: Trade, Investment, and Development
Central to the visit was the exchange of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), witnessed by both heads of state. The CEPA, signed by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and Rui Miguêns de Oliveira, Angola’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, is designed to unlock new opportunities in trade and investment.
The agreement aims to reduce customs duties, eliminate unnecessary trade barriers, and expand market access for goods and services. With bilateral non-oil trade already valued at $2.17 billion in 2024 and showing nearly 30 percent growth in the first half of this year, the CEPA is expected to significantly accelerate economic flows between the two nations. Sheikh Mohamed described the agreement as a “milestone in economic collaboration,” noting that it would deepen commercial ties not only with Angola but also with Africa more broadly, aligning with the UAE’s long-term vision for sustainable economic partnerships across the continent.
Memoranda of Understanding: Building Practical Partnerships
Alongside the CEPA, a series of memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed, spanning fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, financial cooperation, agriculture, and logistics.
Key highlights included:
- Artificial Intelligence Cooperation: Signed between Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and José de Lima Massano, Angola’s Minister of State for Economic Coordination. This agreement aims to promote knowledge-sharing and innovation in advanced technologies.
- Central Bank Collaboration: The Central Bank of the UAE and the National Bank of Angola formalised cooperation to enhance monetary and financial sector ties.
- Agricultural Development: An MoU between Al Dahra, a UAE agribusiness firm, and Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry focused on boosting food security and modernising agricultural practices.
In addition, further agreements were announced in areas such as renewable energy, tourism, education, health, sports, climate action, and culture. Both leaders stressed that these diverse initiatives reflected their shared determination to maximise opportunities for collaboration that directly benefit their peoples.
The talks were not confined to bilateral economic matters. Sheikh Mohamed and President Lourenço also exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues. Both emphasised the importance of collective efforts to enhance global stability, highlighting the need for partnerships that advance peace, security, and sustainable development. Sheikh Mohamed expressed confidence in Angola’s current presidency of the African Union, noting that it presented a vital opportunity for Luanda to play a leading role in promoting peace and reconciliation across the continent. He praised President Lourenço’s commitment to stability, describing Angola as a crucial partner in Africa’s future.
Angola Welcomes Emirati Engagement
For his part, President Lourenço hailed Sheikh Mohamed’s visit as “historic,” underscoring the long-standing friendship between the UAE and Angola. He commended Emirati companies for their active role in Angola’s economy, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture, and logistics, and noted that Emirati investment has been instrumental in driving local development and job creation. He further underlined that the agreements reached during this state visit will serve as a catalyst for youth employment, economic diversification, and long-term prosperity for Angolan citizens. The significance of the visit was reflected in the seniority of the delegations present. Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied by a high-profile team, including Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President. Other ministers in the delegation represented sectors such as health, energy, investment, climate change, sports, economy, culture, and financial governance, highlighting the breadth of cooperation under discussion.
A Relationship Anchored in the Future
The UAE President stressed that his country remains firmly committed to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations, with Angola serving as a cornerstone of that policy. He described the CEPA and MoUs as “a framework for future generations,” designed to promote shared prosperity through innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Both leaders left no doubt that the partnership between their nations is not merely transactional but rather anchored in a broader vision of cooperation. By aligning their development strategies, the UAE and Angola seek to harness opportunities that contribute to their national aspirations while also supporting regional and global stability. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s state visit to Angola marks a defining moment in the trajectory of UAE-Angola relations. From the grandeur of the ceremonial welcome to the signing of historic agreements, the visit symbolised more than diplomacy—it reflected a shared determination to forge enduring bonds of friendship, cooperation, and growth.
As Angola celebrates fifty years of independence, its partnership with the UAE stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between nations that, though geographically distant, share a common outlook: one rooted in progress, mutual respect, and the pursuit of prosperity for their people and for future generations.
