Angola has adopted a national strategy and action plan to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as the oil-producing nation seeks to diversify its economy by expanding trade in non-oil goods across the continent.
The strategy was validated during a workshop in Luanda on June 23, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with technical support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and funding from Global Affairs Canada.
Industry and Commerce Minister Rui Miguens de Oliveira described the AfCFTA as “the most ambitious economic integration project on our continent” and said it would support the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development goals.
Angola, Africa’s third-largest crude oil producer, has been seeking to reduce its heavy dependence on oil, which accounts for about 95 percent of the country’s goods exports and around 60 percent of government revenue, according to international financial institutions.
The African Development Bank said Angola’s economic growth slowed to 3.1 percent in 2025 from 5.0 percent the previous year, largely because of weaker oil prices.
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Officials said the new strategy aims to strengthen domestic production, develop regional value chains, increase exports by local businesses and expand economic opportunities for women, young people and other vulnerable groups.
The AfCFTA, which began trading in January 2021, creates a market of more than 1.3 billion people with a combined economic output of around 3.4 trillion dollars. Despite its size, trade between African countries accounts for only about 15 percent of the continent’s total trade, significantly below levels seen in Europe and Asia.
The ECA said the private sector would play a central role in implementing Angola’s strategy, supported by reforms to improve the business environment and strengthen state institutions.
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Canadian Ambassador Anderson Blanc said Canada would share its experience in developing inclusive trade policies, particularly those supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and women-led businesses.
The strategy follows consultations held between September 2025 and June 2026 involving government agencies, business associations, academia, the Southern African Development Community and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The next phase will include finalising the action plan, establishing a National AfCFTA Implementation Committee and mobilising technical and financial support for implementation.
Analysts say the strategy’s success will depend on Angola’s ability to improve transport infrastructure, customs procedures and logistics while increasing the competitiveness of domestic producers, allowing more non-oil goods to reach regional markets.
