Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan president João Lourenço met on Thursday with his counterpart from Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko, in Luanda, with whom he discussed the state of bilateral cooperation and prospects for strengthening relations between the two countries.
The Botswana statesman arrived Thursday morning in Luanda, at the invitation of the Angolan Head of State, for a 48-hour visit.
During the meeting, the statesmen also discussed the political and security situation in the southern and central African region, as well as issues of international interest.
Cooperation relations between Angola and Botswana continue to consolidate, based on a solid historical foundation, common economic interests and regional integration, with emphasis on sectors such as mining, agriculture, telecommunications and tourism.
On the diplomatic front, ties between the two countries date back to February 18, 1976, shortly after Angolan independence, and have evolved steadily, underpinned by a political commitment to strengthening friendship and joint development.
At the multilateral level, Luanda and Gaborone actively cooperate within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union.
In the legal field, the signing of a General Cooperation Agreement in 2006 stands out, covering areas such as agriculture and fisheries, energy and water, industry and commerce, tourism, geology and mining, telecommunications, and technical and vocational training.
Economic cooperation has the diamond sector as one of its main pillars, with both countries being important producers. Angola has expressed interest in benefiting from Botswana’s experience in diamond exploration and, above all, diamond cutting.
In agriculture and livestock farming, Botswana has supported Angola with technology transfer, livestock and genetic material exports, as well as the implementation of infrastructure related to artificial insemination, aiming to increase national production.
In the telecommunications sector, cooperation includes fiber optic interconnection projects and the use of the Angolan satellite AngoSat-2, with a view to improving digital connectivity and promoting technological inclusion.
Other key areas include infrastructure, energy, transport and water resources, as well as the environment, with joint initiatives for biodiversity protection and participation in cross-border conservation projects.
The two countries participate in regional initiatives such as the Univisa project, which aims to facilitate mobility and boost the sector in Southern Africa.
At the political and strategic level, high-level visits have contributed to strengthening the partnership, and efforts are also underway to reactivate the Joint Bilateral Commission, an instrument considered essential for the implementation of concrete projects.
Cooperation between Angola and Botswana is seen as complementary, with Luanda focusing on economic diversification and Gaborone sharing expertise in strategic sectors, especially in mineral resource management.
