Africa-Press – Angola. The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Angola, Santiero Jean-Marie Somet, expressed on Wednesday in Luanda the interest of several companies from his country, including multinationals, in investing in Angola in the production of palm oil, cocoa, cashew nuts, and coffee.
Speaking to the press, after an audience granted by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Adão de Almeida, the diplomat emphasized the intention to support the revitalization of the Angolan agricultural sector, recalling the fact that the country was one of the largest coffee producers in the world.
“We want to consolidate relations between the two countries and encourage broader cooperation, involving different companies and partners,” declared the ambassador, who also advocated for the reactivation of the Angola-Côte d’Ivoire friendship group at the parliamentary level.
Women’s Forum
The Ivorian diplomat reported that he delivered an official invitation from the Ivorian Senate to Angolan female parliamentarians to participate in an international forum to be held between April 22 and 25 in Yamoussoukro.
The event will bring together women from various African countries, with the purpose of promoting the exchange of experiences and reinforcing the role of women in the development of the continent.
He also mentioned that the occasion served to congratulate Adão de Almeida on his election as the Speaker of the National Assembly and to consolidate parliamentary relations between the two countries.
The diplomat expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Angolan president, João Lourenço, witnessed the inauguration of his Ivorian counterpart, Alassane Ouattara, last year in Abidjan, strengthening bilateral relations.
Air link between Luanda and Abidjan begins on April 6
The two countries recently re-established air links between their two capitals. TAAG, Angola Airlines, has announced the opening of ticket sales for its new route connecting Luanda to Abidjan, starting April 6.
This is the result of the Air Services Agreement recently signed in Luanda between Angola and Côte d’Ivoire to promote regional integration in Africa.
The operation will have three weekly frequencies, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with the start scheduled for April 6.
Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, is considered the gateway to Francophone West Africa, as it is a financial and commercial hub that sees millions of visitors.
The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Angola considered the initiative a significant step towards facilitating economic and social exchange.
Relations between Angola and Côte d’Ivoire are undergoing significant strengthening on economic, political, and technical cooperation, evidenced by the signing of more than 14 legal instruments in 2024, covering agriculture, mining, hydrocarbons, health, and the resumption of direct air links to boost regional trade.
