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· Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during his recent visit to Angola signed agreements to facilitate partnerships in fishing, agriculture and industry to deepen the cooperation between the two countries
· This is a part of Spain’s initiative for seeking new partnerships in Africa
· Importantly, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled “Africa Focus 2023 recently at Madrid which aims at addressing challenges outlined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during his recent visit to Angola signed agreements to facilitate partnerships in fishing, agriculture and industry to deepen the cooperation between the two countries. This is a part of Spain’s initiative for seeking new partnerships in Africa. Spanish economy has been on a decelerating path recently impacted by the pandemic. In the meantime, the oil dependent Angola is chalking out plans to diversify the economy adding newer resources of Income other than oil. Angola, in turn, is seeking new markets to diversify its economy away from oil.
Spain is looking at Angola as an important regional player. The Spanish President Sanchez recognized the growing relations with two countries and commented on Angolan President Lourenço’s commitment to strengthen the bilateral relationship. He also commented on Angola’s commitment to dialogue-based solutions in diffusing conflicts in the three major regions of sub-Saharan Africa: the Gulf of Guinea, the Great Lakes and Southern Africa.
Importantly, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled “Africa Focus 2023 recently at Madrid which aims at addressing challenges outlined in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The Madrid launch of Africa Focus 2023 was recently attended by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, Kenya’s head of trade, and foreign ministers from Senegal and Ghana. The visit of Sanchez to Angola and Senegal was part of the Africa Focus 2023 program.
Spain’s initiatives in Africa have focused on security, human rights particularly in the Northern Africa. Now, it is now targeting more countries for engagement on economic growth, peace and security, and development initiatives. As a part of this, Spain will build relationships with countries in the Sahel, West African coast, and the Gulf of Guinea for peace and security efforts. It highlights Morocco, Algeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ghana in the economic sphere.
Cooperation between the two countries-Angola and Spain- has intensified in the business sector in recent years with the increased presence of Spanish companies in Angola. Angola’s President João Lourenço said at the signing ceremony that both countries could progress together since Angola could serve as a gateway to Spain for selling its products against the backdrop of formation of African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA). Spanish President is heading to Senegal where he will also participate in a business forum followed by a meeting with President Macky Sall and the respective diplomatic corps.
