Africa-Press – Angola. The Secretary of State for Local Government, Fernando Manuel, considered the administrative and financial decentralization process initiated in 2018 to be positive this Monday in Luanda, despite the challenges still facing its consolidation.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the national meeting to evaluate the strengthening of administrative and financial decentralization, the official acknowledged the existence of constraints, particularly financial ones, that hinder the full implementation of the powers assigned to local authorities.
According to the official, it is essential that the transfer of responsibilities be accompanied by the allocation of adequate financial resources to allow local government bodies to perform their functions efficiently and effectively.
Since the process began in 2018, approximately 3,092 powers have been transferred from ministries to provincial governments, and from these to municipal administrations, covering sectors such as transportation, land management, land reserves, and tax collection through municipal portals.
Fernando Manuel emphasized that this is an ongoing process, with encouraging results, although challenges remain, particularly regarding the implementation capacity of some local entities.
He also pointed out the existence of inequalities in the pace of implementation among the different provinces, emphasizing that some demonstrate greater commitment and responsiveness, while others, especially the more recently created ones, face greater difficulties.
“We went from 18 to 21 provinces and from 164 to 326 municipalities. Naturally, some are more advanced than others, but all are functioning, albeit with temporary infrastructure,” he stated.
The meeting, which is being held behind closed doors, brings together Secretaries of State, representatives of local government bodies, and experts in technical and financial matters.
The meeting also aims to project budgetary needs for 2026 and analyze the conditions for continuing the decentralization and municipalization process in the country.
The expectation is that the meeting will result in recommendations that will help consolidate the gains already achieved and accelerate the next steps towards more efficient, participatory, and decentralized governance.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
