At present, Nov. 11, 2025, the Republic of Angola celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its nationwide independence after practically 500 years of Portuguese colonial occupation.
Situated on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, Angola achieved independence in 1975. Nonetheless, within the years instantly following independence, the nation was plunged right into a fratricidal civil warfare that lasted 27 years, leading to a whole bunch of 1000’s of deaths, destruction of infrastructure and the collapse of its manufacturing system.
In April 2002, the fighters lastly signed a peace settlement, paving the way in which for a program of social reintegration and a means of nationwide reconciliation, a framework that enabled the implementation of applications to consolidate multiparty democracy, nationwide reconstruction and financial restoration.
President of the Republic of Angola João Lourenço / Courtesy of Embassy of Angola in Seoul
At present, after 50 years as a free and unbiased nation, Angola is without doubt one of the 10 largest economies in Africa. Angola is considered one of Africa’s largest international locations with an space of 1,246,700 sq. kilometers, and a inhabitants of round 35 million.
The nation presents itself as politically steady with a vibrant and really promising market, absolutely open to overseas buyers and tourism. Angola is implementing a coverage of vacationer visa exemptions for residents of 98 international locations all over the world, together with Koreans.
Engineer Sianga Abílio, Angola’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, recalled that diplomatic relations between the 2 international locations had been established in 1993, marking the start of what he referred to as “an enduring and fruitful collaboration,” explaining that since then, the 2 international locations have expanded cooperation within the areas of commerce, vitality, training, expertise and infrastructure.
Based on Abílio, Korea has supported Angola’s reconstruction course of with technical help and industrial funding, notably within the shipbuilding, civil building and vocational coaching sectors.
The top of Angola’s diplomatic mission in Seoul paraphrased some Korean residents who imagine that “within the 12 months that Angola celebrates 50 years of independence and Korea marks 80 years of liberation, the partnership between our nations takes on a profound symbolic which means.” He stated that Angola appears to be like to Korea as a mannequin of modernization and innovation, whereas Korea acknowledges Angola as a wonderful gateway to Southern Africa, a area wealthy in pure assets, with a younger inhabitants and development potential.
Abílio, a petroleum engineer and former member of the board of administrators of Sonangol, Angola’s largest oil firm, identified that Korea’s expertise in fast industrialization and technological transformation which took it from postwar poverty to international prosperity, serves as inspiration for Angola’s journey. This has led to the extension of the partnership between Seoul and Luanda, Angola’s capital, to rising sectors reminiscent of agriculture and fisheries to modernize manufacturing and guarantee meals safety; renewable vitality and inexperienced applied sciences, selling sustainable development; info expertise and training, fostering innovation and digital literacy amongst younger individuals; and good infrastructure and cities the place Korean engineering and design can play a transformative position.
President Lee Jae-myung, middle, poses with Angolan Ambassador to Korea Sianga Abílio, left, and Overseas Minister Cho Hyun, proper, throughout a credentials presentation ceremony on the presidential workplace in Seoul, Sept. 2. Yonhap
The ambassador underscored that Angola and Korea have maintained and strengthened their ties of friendship and solidarity via the signing of assorted authorized devices and cooperation agreements, with the present spotlight being the signing of seven agreements through the official go to of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to Korea in April 2024, which strengthened the partnership between the 2 international locations in strategic areas of growth.
Equally essential, based on the ambassador, is a framework settlement that can enable Korea to disburse $1 billion between 2025 and 2028 to finance public investments in varied sectors of the Angolan financial system, in addition to $59 million particularly earmarked for the fisheries sector.
Seeking to the longer term, Abílio expressed Angola’s want to proceed to depend on Korea’s help in its growth course of and in consolidating a strong and mutually helpful partnership.
Embassy of Angola constructing in Seoul / Courtesy of Embassy of Angola in Seoul
The ambassador identified that cooperation with Angola affords strategic and financial benefits for Korea, on condition that Angola is the second largest oil producer in Africa and has huge reserves of diamonds, pure fuel and important minerals, along with the nation’s stability and wonderful geographical location.
As for the cooperation paradigm, Korea and Angola agree that it ought to transcend monetary help to incorporate empowering individuals and strengthening native capacities.
The Angolan ambassador praised Korea’s technique of cooperation with Africa and invited Korean businesspeople and residents to think about Angola as a wonderful vacation spot for funding, enterprise and tourism, with the benefit of visa-free journey for vacationers.
The ambassador additionally stated that commemorating 50 years of independence can also be about envisioning Angola’s subsequent section as a rustic that’s self-sufficient, technologically superior and socially inclusive. After a long time of oil dependence, Angola is diversifying its financial system via agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.
Korea, which achieved an identical transformation inside one era, has turn into a helpful ally on this transition. Capability constructing, training and expertise switch the core of bilateral cooperation.
Abilio, who participated at Korea Day celebrated in Luanda, stated that Okay-pop is turning into common and the human connection between Angola and Korea continues to deepen.
Cultural diplomacy, educational exchanges and the presence of the Angolan neighborhood in Korea are constructing bridges of understanding. Simply as Okay-culture conjures up youth throughout Africa, Angolan rhythms like Kizomba and Semba are discovering admirers in Asia.
Sianga Abílio is the Angolan ambassador to Korea.
