(Ecofin Agency) - Angola’s President, João Lourenço (picture), announced on October 11, 2017, that land users who do not valorize the lands they were awarded, will be stripped of these properties, local press agency Angop reported. 

The successor of José Eduardo dos Santos, who was expressing himself at the launch of the 2017/18 agricultural season in the Huambo province, explained that this measure is imperative for the economy. “Angola’s President said that this measure falls under a State strategy aiming to redistribute lands and allow this asset to be a promoting factor towards the economy’s diversification. In his speech, the Head of State said it is crucial that land is put to use in such a way that maximum profit is derived from it,” the press agency said.  

The leader has decided to take action against lenient investors, mostly because of the fact that under the Angolan law, the State is the original owner of lands. Thus, only investors with a valid land patent can use the properties.