• Angola, EU sign €50 million Agrinvest deal for Lobito Corridor

• Project targets agriculture, jobs, and value chains across key provinces

• Initiative aims to boost food security, reduce reliance on imports

Angola and the European Union have signed a 50 million euro ($58 million) financing agreement in Luanda to fund Agrinvest, a project aimed at developing agri-food value chains along the Lobito Corridor.

The EU delegation in Angola said in a statement on Tuesday, March 24, that the funding is intended to improve the competitiveness of several strategic agricultural sectors, including cereals, horticulture and tropical fruits. The project will run for six years across key provinces along the corridor, including Benguela, Huambo and Bié, with support from several Angolan ministries and international partners.

Beyond its role as a transport route, the Lobito Corridor is expected to support economic development. Agrinvest aims to create jobs, particularly for young people and women, through technical support for agricultural organizations, support for cooperatives and improved market access for smallholder farmers.

The project also includes a component to strengthen logistics and processing infrastructure, including storage, transport and distribution. It will also improve access to finance for businesses in the sector to boost production and the sustainability of value chains.

The initiative aligns with the priorities of the National Development Plan 2023-2027, which focuses on food security and human capital development, at a time when agriculture remains key to the economy but underdeveloped. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), cultivated land in Angola increased from 10% of arable land in 2018 to 17% in 2023. The country remains dependent on food imports, particularly cereals, and is among the largest importers in Southern Africa.

In response, the Angolan government has increased investment and accelerated reforms to position agriculture as a key driver of economic diversification. The Agricultural Sector Reform Program (PRSA), launched in 2023 with AfDB support, aims to modernize production and strengthen value chain competitiveness. A national strategy to transform agri-food systems for 2026-2035 is also being prepared, with a focus on food security, social inclusion and sustainability.

The Lobito Corridor, a strategic infrastructure asset, links the port of the same name to mining regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. It is expected to play a key role in exporting resources such as copper and cobalt to international markets.

Charlène N’dimon