Tanzania and Angola have signed four new cooperation agreements during Angolan President João Lourenço's state visit to Tanzania. The agreements include the transfer of sentenced persons, a bilateral Air Services agreement, cooperation in Information and Communications Technology, and cooperation in Meteorology. These agreements bring the total number of cooperation agreements between the two countries to 16. The visit is the first state visit by an Angolan president to Tanzania since 1979.
President Lourenço and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan held talks at State House, focusing on ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, transport, energy, mining, health, and other sectors. President Lourenço emphasized the need to strengthen economic relations to match their long-standing political ties. He noted that African countries often focus on partnerships with distant markets while overlooking opportunities within the continent.
The two governments are negotiating five additional agreements, including cooperation involving satellite technology. President Hassan proposed a business and investment forum to bring together companies from the two countries and identify areas for trade, investment, and partnerships. The forum aims to help both countries pursue investment and commercial opportunities.
Transport connectivity was a priority in the talks, with plans to link the Lobito Corridor in Angola with Tanzania's transport network through regional rail infrastructure. The proposed connection would bring together Angola's Benguela railway and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line, involving Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative could connect the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts, improving the movement of goods and opening up trade opportunities.
President Hassan and President Lourenço also discussed opportunities to improve maritime transport and make better use of their respective ports. A bilateral air services agreement was signed to facilitate direct air links between the two countries. Currently, travelers rely on connecting flights through other countries to move between Tanzania and Angola. Direct services could make business travel easier and support tourism, trade, and investment.
Energy and mining were important areas of discussion, particularly Tanzanian participation in Angola's planned Lobito oil refinery. The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has begun examining the potential for a partnership in the project. The two governments also agreed to exchange experience in mining, particularly in skills development, support for small-scale miners, and adding value to minerals before export.
In health, the presidents discussed cooperation in maternal and child healthcare, training and exchange of medical professionals, and improving access to quality services. President Hassan asked Angola to join Tanzania's efforts to prevent maternal deaths during childbirth, reduce newborn deaths, and ensure all children receive vaccinations. President Lourenço said Angola needed more health professionals and saw opportunities for Tanzanian specialists to work in the country.
Key points
- The agreements signed include the transfer of sentenced persons, a bilateral Air Services agreement, cooperation in Information and Communications Technology, and cooperation in Meteorology.
- The two governments are negotiating five additional agreements, including cooperation involving satellite technology.
- The proposed rail connection could connect the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts, improving the movement of goods and opening up trade opportunities across the region.
