Administrator Samantha Power and Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma wrapped up a three day trip to Angola on April 25th with a visit to Benguela Province and the Port of Lobito. They were joined by U.S. Ambassador Tulinabo S. Mushingi, making them the highest ranking U.S. government officials to travel from Luanda on the railway that will eventually be part of the first trans-African railroad.
During their time in Benguela, Administrator Power and Deputy Secretary Verma met with Vice Governor LÃdia Celma Gonçalves Machado Amaro and Angolan Minister of Agriculture António Francisco De Assis. They officially launched the $5 million expansion of the USAID’s Women in Angola Farming project, a public-private partnership aimed at empowering women farmers. This project’s expansion into four additional provinces, three of which are in the Lobito Corridor, demonstrates the U.S. commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI). Administrator Power engaged with women farmers involved in the project, as well as those who stand to benefit from its expansion. She also met with Nelson Carrinho, CEO of Group Carrinho, Angola’s largest agribusiness and a new private sector partner in the project, which will provide training and skills development while ensuring the purchase of produce from supported communities.
Administrator Power and Deputy Secretary Verma also spoke with Afrimoney field agents to learn more about USAID’s partnership with U.S.-based mobile operator Africell to expand mobile money services in Angola, particularly to facilitate transactions among small farmers in rural communities without access to bank accounts.
The Administrator and Deputy Secretary then traveled by train from Benguela Railway station to Lobito Port station with Angolan Minister of Transport Ricardo Viegas de Abreu. The rehabilitation of the rail system is a key aspect of the Lobito Corridor project, which the U.S. government is supporting through collaboration with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Government of Angola as part of President Biden’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment initiative.
During their visit to the Port of Lobito, Administrator Power learned about the port’s history and plans for expansion through PGI-led investments in the Lobito Corridor. She reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to developing the Corridor in partnership with African and G7 countries, emphasizing USAID’s dedication to ensuring that investments in the region support Angola’s goals of economic diversification and equitable growth. Administrator Power also highlighted a new partnership with the Ministry of Transportation to increase private investment in infrastructure through transparent procurement processes.
Administrator Power and Deputy Secretary Verma wrapped up their visit to Angola with a press conference alongside the Minister of Transport.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).