Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of Planning, Victor Hugo Guilherme, highlighted on Wednesday the importance of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) support for local entrepreneurs and Angola’s socioeconomic growth.
The recognition was expressed during a meeting between the Angolan delegation participating in the annual meetings of the Bretton Woods institutions, and the IFC’s vice president for the Africa region, Ethiopis Tafara.
During the meeting, Guilherme highlighted progress in the energy sector and requested the IFC’s support for logistics transport corridors, such as the Lobito Corridor. He emphasized the importance of the IFC’s partnership with Angola in developing agriculture, creating jobs, and supporting small farmers.
The Angolan official acknowledged the IFC team’s support in fulfilling local and international commitments, adding that the corporation’s strategy aligns with the country’s objectives, particularly regarding job creation.
Guilherme emphasized agriculture as a key sector for growth, driving progress in areas such as energy, tourism, and transportation.
He mentioned the launch of the “Agro-Connect” project, which focuses on supporting smallholder farmers who account for 75% of Angolan agricultural production. He requested the World Bank’s collaboration on telecommunications and road projects, which are essential for tourism development.
The IFC Vice President for the Africa Region, Ethiopis Tafara, and his technical team assured that they will agree on how to support the Namibia/Democratic Republic of Congo/Zambia corridor.
They pledged to maintain stable coordination between Angola and Zambia, as the current agreement allows goods and passengers to move more efficiently across their borders.
The team considered the cross-border project a success, requiring strong institutional coordination and clear regulatory frameworks. Financing can be mobilized more easily when both countries present a unified strategy and demonstrate commitment to project implementation.
The IFC guarantees technical support, particularly in infrastructure planning and policy harmonization.
The IFC’s mission is to eradicate extreme poverty and increase shared prosperity in developing countries by investing in private enterprises and providing technical assistance to stimulate economic growth.
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