Trade Envoy visit to Angola

Last week I led my first delegation of businesses as the UK’s Trade Envoy to southern Africa. We had a very productive and promising few days in Angola, which has massive potential for growth and for increased trade and investment links with the UK. 30+ UK business leaders and many more from Angola came together to identify the opportunities.

I would highlight:

• An amazing new international airport city with masterplanning by the UK’s Foster and Partners. This creates massive opportunities to be involved in Angola’s ambitious plans to become a regional aviation hub.

• Developing infrastructure corridors that open up trade and industry with Angola’s neighbours, including in critical minerals essential for UK green energy and defence. Equally, this is about opening up fertile land for agriculture and Angola’s growing population.

I was proud to lead the first UK government engagement with Angola’s Defence Minister in five years, including a discussion of the vital work our world-leading mine clearance charities are doing with Angolan funding. I met with the Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Industry alongside many officials to identify new areas where we can work in partnership. We have many lines of work to take forward as a result!

Delegations like this are vital for the ambitious growth mission that the UK and Angola share. By bringing together our businesses, investors, and governments, we can strengthen diplomatic ties, boost trade, support international development, and achieve greater security and prosperity in this fast-changing and volatile world.

Thank you to the UK Embassy in Angola & Ambassador Bharat Joshi!