Egypt is extending a helping hand to Angola, offering its extensive experience in agriculture, irrigation, and infrastructure development to support the African nation’s growth. Ambassador Neveen El-Husseiny, who arrived in Luanda three months ago, pledged to “strengthen these relations even more” during a recent meeting with National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira.
“Egypt has accumulated a lot of experience in crop irrigation, agricultural development, and infrastructure,” El-Husseiny said, highlighting areas where Egypt can assist Angola. He added that Egyptian companies are ready to partner with Angola on projects spanning irrigation, energy, water management, and infrastructure.
This renewed focus on cooperation builds on a long-standing relationship between the two countries. Since formalizing the General Agreement for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in 1987, Egypt and Angola have explored collaboration in various sectors, including trade, education, energy, and agriculture.
The upcoming inaugural meeting of the Bilateral Commission marks another significant step. This platform will assess existing cooperation and pave the way for implementing agreed-upon initiatives, potentially identifying new areas for collaboration that leverage the strengths of both nations.
El-Husseiny’s commitment extends beyond economic partnerships. He commended President João Lourenço’s efforts in tackling Africa’s challenges related to peace, security, and development, underscoring the importance of regional solidarity.
Furthermore, Egypt has established itself as a reliable partner in times of need. Egyptian companies were the first to provide vital support to Angola’s COVID-19 response, supplying biosafety equipment, hospital consumables, and critical resources worth 200 million kwanzas.
Beyond the present, the historical ties between Egypt and Angola add a layer of depth to this evolving partnership. The first regional office of Angola’s liberation movement, MPLA, was established in Cairo in 1965, solidifying a bond forged in the fight against Portuguese colonialism. This shared history serves as a strong foundation for the future of Egypt-Angola cooperation.
With Egypt’s expertise and Angola’s potential, this strengthened collaboration holds the promise of fostering sustainable development and mutual prosperity for both nations.