UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Angola on Sunday, August 24, 2025, marking the start of a state visit focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. The visit highlights the growing partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Angola, which have significantly expanded cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, and development in recent years. Sheikh Mohamed was welcomed with full ceremonial honors at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda. The official reception included an honor guard, a 21-gun salute, and the playing of both nations’ national anthems.
He was received by Angolan President João Manuel Lourenço, with whom he held an official meeting at the Presidential Palace. Both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed opportunities for further collaboration in multiple sectors. Accompanying the UAE President is a senior delegation comprising key cabinet ministers and advisors. Among them are Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and other high-ranking officials overseeing portfolios in energy, foreign trade, health, economy, investment, culture, environment, and strategic affairs.
The visit comes amid a marked increase in UAE–Angola trade and investment. Non-oil trade between the two nations reached $2.2 billion in 2024, a 36 percent rise compared to 2019 levels. Several agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed since 2021 to boost cooperation in key areas. Notably, Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy company, partnered with Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water to develop solar power and energy storage infrastructure. In the digital sector, Presight, an Abu Dhabi-based analytics firm, has been working with Angolan institutions on data and artificial intelligence solutions.
Trade between UAE and Angola surges to record levels
Infrastructure has also become a central pillar of cooperation. The Abu Dhabi Ports Company has launched projects with Angola’s Ministry of Transport to modernize port facilities and improve logistics connectivity. These initiatives are aligned with Angola’s efforts to diversify its economy and expand its industrial base, supported by foreign direct investment from the UAE. The UAE has also extended development assistance to Angola, focusing on healthcare and education. Earlier this year, the UAE contributed 25 ambulances and critical medical equipment to Angola as part of a $220 million Africa-focused healthcare initiative.
Additionally, Emirati entities are exploring investments in Angola’s agriculture, real estate, defense, logistics, and critical minerals sectors. During the two-day state visit, Sheikh Mohamed and President Lourenço are scheduled to hold strategic discussions to review existing agreements and sign new accords. Talks are expected to cover economic cooperation, sustainable development, technology transfer, and regional security. The meetings are aimed at reinforcing long-term bilateral ties and aligning both countries’ economic strategies. This visit follows Angolan President Lourenço’s official trip to Abu Dhabi in 2024, which laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation.
The reciprocal visits reflect the mutual commitment to strengthening relations and expanding investment opportunities between the Gulf and sub-Saharan Africa. Sheikh Mohamed’s state visit to Angola underscores the UAE’s broader strategy of increasing engagement across the African continent through trade, infrastructure development, energy partnerships, and humanitarian assistance. The growing ties with Angola are part of a diversified foreign policy agenda that prioritizes sustainable growth and strategic investment. – By Content Syndication Services.