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International Partnerships
News announcement31 January 2020Directorate-General for International Partnerships

Africa-Europe Alliance in action: EU provides boost for economic diversification and participatory governance in Angola

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The European Commission today signed a total of €23 million in projects with Angola aimed at promoting jobs, economic diversification, investments and the participation of civil society in local governance.

Supporting the reforms underway: Economic Diversification and Decentralization

A €12 million programme will support Angola’s crucial diversification efforts in the areas of value chains (coffee) and access to finance for SMEs. A complementary €5 million programme seeks to foster an enabling business environment through the review and adaptation of legislation and raising quality standards. These programmes will also provide platforms for public-private dialogue and the promotion of regional trade.

Finally, a €6 million programme will support the participation of civil society in local governance in view of the planned municipal elections in the near future. This programme will help in the establishment of participatory governance structures by reinforcing the local legislative, regulatory and institutional frameworks.

Strengthening the partnership with the PALOP-TL

The European Commission signed these projects in the margins of the first EU - PALOP-TL Policy Dialogue on Public Finance Management held in Luanda on the 30th and 31st of January 2020. The Portuguese-speaking African countries and East Timor (PALOP-TL) include Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor. The EU and PALOP-TL discussed relevant policies on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the roles played by auditing institutions, parliaments and governments.

Background information

The bilateral development portfolio of the 11th European Development Fund for Angola amounts to €132 million. The EU’s cooperation focuses on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (€22 million) and Higher Education (€13 million), (ii) Sustainable Agriculture (€65 million) (iii) Economic Governance (€5 million) and private sector development (€12 million) and (iv) Support to Civil Society (€6 million). The 4 focal sectors are complemented by Support Measures (€5 million) and a Dialogue Facility (€4 million).

The EU has been cooperating with the PALOP-TL for over 25 years with more than €100 million, complementary to bilateral and regional initiatives. Current 11th European Development Fund projects cover two areas with an €8 million support programme to public finance management systems and an employment-boosting programme of €18 million in the cultural sector.

Details

Publication date
31 January 2020
Author
Directorate-General for International Partnerships