The minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Júnior, last week in Niamey, Niger, advocated the need for Africans to be able to transform the immense natural resources of the “Cradle Continent” into real wealth for the people.
Speaking at the 17th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, the Angolan minister said that Africa has to stop being seen only as the potentially rich continent, but be able to transform its resources.
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On the occasion, Manuel Nunes Júnior noted that the Angolan government is committed to implementing a national agenda for industrialisation and economic diversification, with agri-business as its base.
In this regard, he said, Angola has adopted policies to create a business environment that is increasingly favourable to attracting national and foreign investors, as well as creating special economic zones, in order to make Angola’s economy more efficient and competitive.
“It is a long and difficult road, but we have to do it, with a big focus on developing human capital, expanding and modernising our infrastructures and intensifying and speeding up the diversification of the Angolan economy”, added the official.
According to the Angolan government official, this challenge will help to raise the living standards of the people.
On the other hand, the minister for Industry and Trade, Victor Fernandes, said that the development of the African continent essentially involved industrialisation of its countries, a measure that strengthens creation of jobs for young people.
According to Victor Fernandes, the participants of the ministers´ meeting recommended that African states channel 5% of each country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the industrialisation of Africa.
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Under the motto, “Industrialising Africa: renewed commitment for inclusive, sustainable industrialisation and diversification of the economy”, the 17th Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union aimed to study mechanisms for the industrialisation of the continent to be at the same speed between countries.
The Angolan delegation also includes the Secretary of State for Foreign Relations, Esmeralda Mendonça, the Angolan ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the African Union, Francisco da Cruz, and the Angolan ambassador to Nigeria, Niger and Benin, Eustáquio Quibato.
