African news : breaking news, features, analysis

In completing 40 years of independence on November 11 2015, this ephemeris, far from being just another festive date, it is marked by transcendental importance as it represents a number of significant events such as the disruption from colonial rule and the role played by a group of fearless heroes who triumphantly, gave their lives for the cause of the liberation of people, fighting the bondage, the racial segregation, the plundering of resources and any sort of abuse the Angolans were subjected to by the colonial administration. 

With freedom and on the road map to democracy, Angolan people were able to join efforts as one people one nation, regardless of Party affiliation, religious beliefs or ethnic differences, seeking to preserve the peace and develop the country.

Angola efforts are towards the sustainable development projected by the United Nations 2030 agenda.

In regard to the Millennium development Goals, in general, Angola was able to reach the proposed percentage increase in primary education, in promotion of gender and empowering of women, as with the latter it was possible to diminish the gender gap in relation to access to formal jobs, whose ratio rose from 35.5% to 55.4%, which represents 22.7% among man and 45.9 % among women.

In 2015, Angola, as many others countries in the world, faced several economic challenges due to the fall of oil price in international markets; consequently, the government was forced to make budget cuts on current spending, particularly 53% in public investment, although new projection indicates a real GDP growth rate of 4%.

The oil sector indicates a growth of 7.8%, and non oil sector indicates an increase of 2.4%, reflecting the growing levels of agriculture production of 2.5%, manufacturing sector 2.6% and commercial services 2.2%.

Angola is also putting efforts to promote investment in the country having recently approved the new investment Law expecting to increase private foreign investment funding of approximately 10 billion dollars in the next two years.

The country is also building and re-structuring three main power infrastructures namely the hydroelectric complex of Lauca to be concluded in 2016 and 2017 as well as the construction of 81 water treatment plants projected for the most needed municipalities in the 18 provinces of Angola.
The hydroelectric complex of Lauca must have two plants, the first consisting of six generating units that will produce a total of 2.004 megawatts of electric power, corresponding to 334 megawatts for each, while the second will include the construction of an ecological center with a capacity of 65 megawatts.

After the conclusion of the Lauca dam, planned for 2017, the hydroelectric complex built with the technique of roler compacted concret, will have 132 meters high, 1100 meters length and Lake formed by the water retained by the dam with 188 square kilometers.

On the international arena, Angola was elected as non permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2015-2016, Chairs the United Nation Consultative Committee for Security in Central Africa and is also chairing the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region. This country also plays some important roles as the regional level being diligent in terms of convergence in the regional goals of SADC.

With the celebration of the 40 years of independence the peace is consolidated every day thanks to the spirit of tolerance, understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation of all Angolans, which regardless of their party affiliation, religious creed or region turned the page of war and have peace as the greatest asset of the nation to preserve.

Continuing to consolidate the peace and national unity and work to achieve social inclusion, progress and the well-being of all, is the common desire of those who want to build a democratic, modern and prosperous Angola.

ISSUED BY THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA IN ACCRA-GHANA