From Liberation to Leadership: Tete António on Angola at 50

By Ajong Mbapndah L

As Angola prepares to mark its golden jubilee of independence on November 11, the country finds itself at a turning point. From a turbulent history marked by liberation struggles and a protracted civil war to an era now defined by rebuilding, reform, and regional ambition, Angola’s journey reflects both scars of conflict and seeds of promise.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Pan African Visions Managing Editor, Angola’s Foreign Minister, Tete António, offers both a sober reflection on the past and a pragmatic optimism about the country’s future.

Angola will clock 50 years of independence on November 11. How will you sum up the shape of the country economically, politically, and socially ?

Angola has traveled a difficult but transformative path. At independence, we emerged from colonial rule into decades of civil war that left our institutions, our infrastructure, and even our social fabric in ruins. Today, while we are not yet where we aspire to be, there is undeniable progress. Economically, we are diversifying beyond oil, politically, we are consolidating democratic practices, and socially, investments in health and education are beginning to bear fruit. The journey has been hard, but the resilience of the Angolan people is what defines the country at 50.

A lot of Angola’s history is associated with fighting…from the liberation war against Portugal to the vicious civil war. How did these experiences shape the future of modern-day Angola as it is today ?

Those years of war left deep scars but also powerful lessons. We know firsthand the price of conflict and the value of peace. The destruction forced us to start almost from zero, rebuilding hospitals, roads, schools. But it also instilled in us a determination to craft a different future — one in which we transform suffering into opportunity. Our past has made us cautious, yes, but also pragmatic and focused. Development is a process, and Angolans understand the patience and persistence it demands.

What are some of the major strides in terms of development that Angola has experienced under the Lourenço administration ?

Under President Lourenço, we have made infrastructure, education, and health cornerstones of development. The Lobito Corridor stands out as a transformative project — a rail and logistics artery linking our Atlantic coast to the heart of the continent, positioning Angola as a hub of African connectivity. We’ve also advanced in healthcare with new hospitals, expanded energy access, and improved education systems. The leadership has been about vision and pragmatism — building not in isolation, but through collective effort.

Minister Tete, a question on the stewardship of President Lourenço as Chairman of the African Union, as his main aide on foreign affairs. What assessment do you make of his leadership and impact on Africa during his term in the last quarter ?

President Lourenço’s chairmanship has been marked by clarity of purpose. He has championed infrastructure, industrialization, and education as pillars of Africa’s future. Angola has used its AU leadership to bring our own hard-won lessons of peace and reconstruction to the continental table. His stewardship has been about building bridges — not only between countries but also between Africa’s aspirations and the global community.

It has been a string of diplomatic victories for Angola and President Lourenço, with the visit of President Biden last year, his leadership of the AU, and the US-Africa Business Summit hosted by Angola. What accounts for all these successes ?

These successes stem from credibility. Angola is no longer seen only through the lens of war; we are recognized as a stable, reliable partner with something to contribute. President Lourenço’s reforms and his openness to engagement have built trust. That trust translates into partnerships, whether with the United States, regional neighbors, or global institutions.

Angola hosted this year’s US-Africa Business Summit. How are relations between Angola and the US, and any concerns on its future, with the unpredictability of the Trump administration, from tariffs to travel bans ?

Our relations with the United States are strong and built on shared interests. Of course, global politics brings uncertainties, but our focus remains consistent: strengthening trade, investment, and educational partnerships. The US sees Angola as a gateway not only to Southern Africa but also to a larger continental market of 500 million people. Whatever administration is in power, the fundamentals of mutual benefit will remain.

On the Lobito Corridor project that has generated so much excitement, may we get some updates on progress and where things stand at the moment ?

The Lobito Corridor is moving from vision to reality. The rail and logistics network is already operational in parts, and we are expanding its reach. It is more than an economic project — it’s a paradigm shift. By connecting mineral-rich regions of Africa to global markets, we are unlocking value for Angola, our neighbors, and the continent at large.

Can you shed some light on the President João Lourenço Higher Education, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Program and the logic behind it ?

This program is rooted in the conviction that sustainable development must be powered by people. Infrastructure is critical, but without human capital, it cannot drive transformation. The program is designed to give young Angolans the skills, opportunities, and innovation platforms they need to create businesses, generate jobs, and compete globally.

At what stage is the program now, and what palpable result or development impact do you expect Angola and Africa to gain from it ?

We are in the early stages but already seeing results — more scholarships, stronger university partnerships, and startups beginning to emerge. Over time, we expect it to build a generation of leaders and innovators who will ensure Angola not only consumes knowledge but also produces it. That is how Angola will secure its place in Africa’s future.

What other programs or initiatives does the government of Angola have or is working on to strengthen engagement with the diaspora ?

The diaspora is an untapped treasure. We are working on initiatives that make it easier for Angolans abroad to invest at home, transfer knowledge, and participate in national projects. Programs around culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship are being designed with the diaspora in mind — because they are part of our national fabric, no matter where they live.

For those who may read this interview and be interested in visiting or investing in Angola, what message do you have for them? What is there to see, and what are some of the sectors to consider for investment ?

My message is simple: Angola is open. We have vast agricultural land, abundant water, energy potential, and a strategic geographic position. Sectors like agribusiness, energy, logistics, and tourism are ripe for investment. Beyond business, visitors will find a country of striking natural beauty — from our coastline to our highlands — and a culture rich in resilience and warmth.

Any insights on what to expect from Angola and the Lourenço administration in the next few years on its leadership role in Africa and the bridge-building initiatives with the diaspora?

We will continue to champion Africa’s connectivity and industrialization agenda. For us, leadership is not about grandstanding but about contributing solutions. With the diaspora, our focus will be to turn sentiment into engagement, and engagement into results — in business, education, and innovation.

A last question on the future of Angola: what makes you hopeful, and what are your fears?

What gives me hope is the spirit of our people. After all we endured, Angolans continue to rebuild, to dream, to innovate. My fear is only that we forget how hard-won peace is. If we stay grounded in our lessons and focused on the future, Angola’s story will be one of resilience turned into opportunity.

*Culled from October Edition of PAV Magazine